exordium

noun

ex·or·di·um eg-ˈzȯr-dē-əm

plural exordiums or exordia eg-ˈzȯr-dē-ə

: a beginning or introduction especially to a discourse or composition

exordial

eg-ˈzȯr-dē-əl

adjective

in his exordium the author warns his readers that they should expect a radically different interpretation of the causes of the war

Etymology

Latin, from exordiri to begin, from ex- + ordiri to begin — more at order

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of exordium was in 1577

See more words from the same year

Style

“Exordium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exordium. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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