part of speech: noun

A short piece of music played as an introduction to a longer piece; preface; something done to prepare the way for something more important.

part of speech: verb

To serve as an introduction to; precede.

part of speech: noun

A short piece of music before a longer piece: a preface: a forerunner.

part of speech: verb

To play before: to precede, as an introduction.

part of speech: noun

Introductory piece of music; something that precedes.

Prelusive.

part of speech: verb

To perform a prelude; preface.

part of speech: noun

Something introductory or preparatory, as indicative of what is to follow: a forerunner; a short strain of music before a regular piece or concert.

part of speech: verb

To introduce; to play before.

To serve as an introduction.

part of speech: noun

A short musical flourish or voluntary played before the commencement of the piece to be performed; the overture; something introductory; something which indicates a future event.

part of speech: verb

To precede; to introduce a piece of music with a voluntary movement; to serve as an introduction to.

But in September of the same year we find a cloud on the horizon, the prelude of a coming storm. "The History of the Fabian Society", Edward R. Pease.

One concession is but the prelude to another with them. "Clarissa, Volume 4 (of 9) History Of A Young Lady", Samuel Richardson.

To what request is this the prelude? "The Bars of Iron", Ethel May Dell.

Oh, 'tis the prelude to some fearful fall! "The Maid of Orleans A Tragedy", Frederich Schiller.