exordium

[ ig-zawr-dee-uhm, ik-sawr- ]

noun

, plural ex·or·di·ums, ex·or·di·a [ig-, zawr, -dee-, uh, ik-, sawr, -].

1. the beginning of anything.
2. the introductory part of an oration, treatise, etc.

exordium

/ ɛkˈsɔːdɪəm /

noun

1. an introductory part or beginning, esp of an oration or discourse

Derived Forms

• exˈordial, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·ordi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exordium¹

1525–35; < Latin exōrdium, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + ōrd ( īrī ) to begin + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of exordium¹

C16: from Latin, from exōrdīrī to begin, from ōrdīrī to begin

Example Sentences

I trembled violently at his exordium, and my father continued—

From Literature

The purpose of the exordium is to put the audience into a receptive and attentive frame of mind.

From Literature

Now to the point," I cried; "for exordiums be tedious.

From Project Gutenberg

After this weary exordium of theory, Tom, for which my apologies, let us turn to a bit of practice.

From Project Gutenberg

Having delivered this exordium, Wasson frankly confessed that the tribes which he represented were all justly chargeable with the war, and now deeply regretted their delinquency.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• addition
• debut
• establishment
• inauguration
• influx
• initiation
• installation
• launch
• opening
• preface
• presentation