prologue
Meaning: An introductory section of a literary or dramatic work; an event or action that leads to another.
A prologue sets the scene before the main narrative begins, providing background information, establishing the setting, or introducing key themes. In plays, it was traditionally a speech delivered by one of the actors before the action started. Figuratively, a prologue can refer to any preliminary event that foreshadows what follows, as in 'the skirmish proved to be a prologue to full-scale war.'
Examples
- The prologue of the novel is set fifty years before the main action begins. 这部小说的序言设定在主要情节开始的五十年前。El prólogo de la novela se sitúa cincuenta años antes del comienzo de la acción principal.この小説のプロローグは、本編の五十年前に設定されている。이 소설의 프롤로그는 본편의 50년 전을 배경으로 하고 있다.
- The political unrest of the 1930s served as a prologue to the devastating conflict that followed. 20世纪30年代的政治动荡成为随后毁灭性冲突的序幕。La agitación política de los años treinta sirvió de prólogo al devastador conflicto que siguió.1930年代の政治的騒乱は、その後に続く壊滅的な紛争のプロローグとなった。1930년대의 정치적 동요는 이후에 이어진 파괴적인 분쟁의 서막이 되었다.
- In the prologue, the narrator warns the reader that not everything in the story is as it seems. 在序言中,叙述者警告读者,故事中的一切并非表面上看到的那样。En el prólogo, el narrador advierte al lector de que no todo en la historia es lo que parece.プロローグの中で語り手は、物語のすべてが見かけ通りではないと読者に警告している。프롤로그에서 화자는 이야기의 모든 것이 겉보기와 같지는 않다고 독자에게 경고한다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek prologos (before-word), from pro- (before) and logos (word, speech). Entered English in the 13th century via Latin and Old French.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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