prolegomenous
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pro·le·gom·e·non
(prō′lĭ-gŏm′ə-nŏn′, -nən)n. pl. pro·le·gom·e·na (-nə)
1. A preliminary discussion, especially a formal essay introducing a work of considerable length or complexity.
2. prolegomena(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Prefatory remarks or observations.
[Greek, from neuter present passive participle of prolegein, to say beforehand : pro-, before; see pro-2 + legein, to speak; see leg- in Indo-European roots.]
pro′le·gom′e·nous 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.
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prolegomenous
adjective1. Before or in preparation for the main matter, action, or business:
2. Serving to introduce a subject or person, for example:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.