proem

[ proh-em ]
/ ˈproʊ ɛm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR proem ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an introductory discourse; introduction; preface; preamble.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM proem

pro·e·mi·al [proh-ee-mee-uh l, -em-ee-] /proʊˈi mi əl, -ˈɛm i-/, adjective

Words nearby proem

production well, productive, productive cough, productivity, productivity bargaining, proem, proenzyme, proerythroblast, proerythrocyte, proestrogen, proestrus

Words related to proemial

preparatory, inaugural, anterior, basic, beginning, early, elementary, incipient, initial, opening, original, prefatory, primary, prior, provisional, rudimentary, initiatory, inductive, precursory, prelusive

British Dictionary definitions for proemial

proem
/ (ˈprəʊɛm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of proem

proemial (prəʊˈiːmɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for proem

C14: from Latin prooemium introduction, from Greek prooimion, from pro- ² + hoimē song