What is "exordia"

Exordium \Ex*or"di*um\ (-[u^]m), n.; pl. E. Exordiums (-[u^]mz), L. Exordia (-[.a]). [L. fr. exordiri to begin a web, lay a warp, begin; ex out + ordiri to begin a web, begin; akin to E. order. See Order.] A beginning; an introduction; especially, the introductory part of a discourse or written composition, which prepares the audience for the main subject; the opening part of an oration. ``The exordium of repentance.''
--Jer. Taylor. ``Long prefaces and exordiums. ''
--Addison. [1913 Webster] ||

See exordium

1. n. (rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse

2. [also: exordia (pl)]