Addison.
The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the
sequel, of the fact.
Whewell.
Syn. -- Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner;
harbinger; precursor.
Pre*lude" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play:
cf. F. prÈluder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to
give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.
The musicians preluded on their instruments.
Sir. W. Scott.
We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.
Jeffrey.
Pre*lude", v. t. 1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play
or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.