That which is begun; a rudiment or element.
The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.
The initial portion of some extended thing.
That which begins or originates something; the source or first cause.
Of or relating to the first portion of some extended thing.
The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.
An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
A title or epithet.
The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
To give a preface to.
To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).