1.  prelude(n = noun.event) overture, preliminary - something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
is a kind of inception, origin, origination
Derived form verb prelude₁

2.  prelude(n = noun.communication) - music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera;
is a kind of music
has particulars: chorale prelude
Derived form verb prelude₂

1.  prelude(v = verb.stative) - serve as a prelude or opening to;
is one way to function, serve
Derived form noun prelude₁
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

2.  prelude(v = verb.creation) - play as a prelude;
is one way to play, spiel
Derived form noun prelude₂
Sample sentences: They will prelude the duet

   An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. [1913 Webster]
"The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Ænis" [1913 Webster]
"The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact." [1913 Webster]

   To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude. [1913 Webster]
"The musicians preluded on their instruments." [1913 Webster]
"We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point." [1913 Webster]

1.  To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air. [1913 Webster]

2.  To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory. [1913 Webster]
"[Music] preluding some great tragedy." [1913 Webster]

prelude, n. & v.
--n. (often foll. by to)
1 an action, event, or situation serving as an introduction.
2 the introductory part of a poem etc.
3 a an introductory piece of music, often preceding a fugue or forming the first piece of a suite or beginning an act of an opera. b a short piece of music of a similar type, esp. for the piano.
--v.tr.
1 serve as a prelude to.
2 introduce with a prelude.

Derivative:
preludial adj.

Etymology:
F pr{eacute}lude or med.L praeludium f. L praeludere praelus- (as PRAE-, ludere play)

VB  precede, come before, come first, head, lead, take the lead, lead the way, lead the dance, be in the vanguard, introduce, usher in, have the pas, set the fashion, open the ball, take precedence, have precedence, have the start, place before, prefix, premise, prelude, preface.

N  precursor, antecedent, precedent, predecessor, forerunner, vancourier, avant-coureur, pioneer, prodrome, prodromos, prodromus, outrider, leader, bellwether, herald, harbinger, foreboding, dawn, avant-courier, avant-garde, bellmare, forelooper, foreloper, stalking-horse, voorlooper, voortrekker, prelude, preamble, preface, prologue, foreword, avant-propos, protasis, proemium, prolusion, proem, prolepsis, prolegomena, prefix, introduction, heading, frontispiece, groundwork, preparation, overture, exordium, symphony, premises, prefigurement, omen, precursory, prelusive, prelusory, preludious, proemial, introductory, prefatory, prodromous, inaugural, preliminary, precedent, a precedent embalms a principle.

chorale prelude