proem

American  

[proh-em] / ˈproʊ ɛm /

noun

1. an introductory discourse; introduction; preface; preamble.

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proem British  

/ ˈprəʊɛm, prəʊˈiːmɪəl /

noun

1. an introduction or preface, such as to a work of literature

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Other Word Forms

• proemial adjective

Etymology

Origin of proem

1350–1400; < Latin prooemium < Greek prooímion prelude ( pro- pro- ² + oím ( ē ) song + -ion diminutive suffix); replacing Middle English proheme < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

After a moment or two, I said, “Well, some died in the war, and, if you read the proem carefully, you’ll recall that others died ‘through their own recklessness.’

From The New Yorker • Apr. 17, 2017

With this bold proem, George R. Barnes, director of BBC's "Third Program,"*launched one of the boldest ventures in the history of broadcasting.

From Time Magazine Archive

The first is, that it is no part of the present design, as may be seen in the proem of this little book.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 17, March, 1859 by Various

I will not trespass on your time by any proem.

From Romola by Eliot, George

This bitter attack on his beloved art gave the occasion for Vondel's famous vindication of the drama in his proem to the "Lucifer."

From Vondel's Lucifer by Vondel, Joost van den