prolegomenon

[prettygoodword]

prolegomenon (proh-li-GOM-uh-non) - n., an introduction, prefatory remark, esp. a formal essay that introduces and interprets the work that follows.


It seems I've been mispronouncing this all along -- I thought the stress went on the fourth syllable. Ah, well. First borrowed in 1652 in the sense of the learned preamble to a book from Greek, where it is the neuter passive present participle of prolegein, to say beforehand, from pro-, before + legein, to speak (the root of lecture). Preface is the exact same meaning from Latin roots.

---L.

Comments

[calenorn.livejournal.com]

Rhymes with phenomenon. Also could be a rally in favor of legos.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

That's a useful way of thinking of it.

---L.