PRE'LUDE, n. [Low L. proeludium, from proeludo; proe, before, and ludo, to play.]
1. A short flight of music, or irregular air played by a musician before he begins the piece to be played, or before a full concert.2. Something introductory or that shows what is to follow; something preceding which bears some relation or resemblance to that which is to follow. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Aeneis.3. A forerunner; something which indicates a future event.