proem

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: pro=em

CIDE DICTIONARY

proem, n. [L. prooemium, Gr. ; before + way, course or strain of a song: cf. F. proème.].

 Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.  [1913 Webster]
"Thus much may serve by way of proem."  [1913 Webster]

proem, v. t. 

 To preface.  South.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

proem, n.
1 a preface or preamble to a book or speech.
2 a beginning or prelude.

Derivative

proemial adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF proeme or L prooemium f. Gk prooimion prelude (as PRO-(2), oime song)

ROGET THESAURUS

proem

Precursor

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.