prologue

Meanings

1. 1
   noun A speech or section used as an introduction, especially to a play or novel.
2. 2
   noun One who delivers a prologue.
3. 3
   noun A component of a computer program that prepares the computer to execute a routine.
4. 4
   noun An individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader's jersey on the first stage.
5. 5
   verb To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue.