proem
pro·em
(prō′ĕm′)n.
An introduction; a preface.
[Middle English proheme, from Old French, from Latin prooemium, from Greek prooimion : pro-, before; see pro-2 + oimē, song.]
pro·e′mi·al (prō-ē′mē-əl, -ĕm′ē-) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
proem
(ˈprəʊɛm)n
(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) an introduction or preface, such as to a work of literature
[C14: from Latin prooemium introduction, from Greek prooimion, from pro-2 + hoimē song]
proemial adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pro•em
(ˈproʊ ɛm)n.
an introductory discourse; introduction; preface.
[1350–1400; earlier proheme, Middle English < Middle French < Latin prooemium < Greek prooímion prelude =pro- pro-2 + oím(ē) song + -ion diminutive suffix]
pro•e′mi•al (-ˈi mi əl, -ˈɛm i-) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
proem, proemium
a preface, preamble, or brief introduction, as to a book or other work.
See also: Books-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.