What is "exordium"

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] ||

n. 1 A beginning 2 The introduction to a paper or discourse.

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

2. [also: exordia (pl)]

Exordium may refer to:

• Exordium (rhetoric), the introductory section of a discourse in Western classical rhetoric; e.g., the 1st 4 verses of Hebrews in the Bible
• In law, an exordium clause is the first paragraph or sentence in a (last) will and testament, in which the testator identifies himself or herself, states a legal domicile, and revokes any prior wills
• Exordium (EP), by Dutch symphonic metal band After Forever.
• The Exordium series, a science fiction book series written by Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge
• Exordium, a fictional experiment in the Revelation Space series
• Exordium is the title of the opening (prelude) section of composer Harry Partch's Delusion of the Fury.

Exordium may also refer to:

• The opening chapter of the Qur'an

Exordium is a 2003 EP album by Dutch symphonic metal band After Forever. Another version of this album was released in 2004, with a bonus DVD entitled Insights. " The Evil That Men Do" is a cover of the Iron Maiden song, while " One Day I'll Fly Away" is a metal version of a ballad originally sung by Randy Crawford. This is the first recording of the band with new guitarist Bas Maas, who replaced Mark Jansen. Exordium is the first After Forever album to enter the Dutch Top 100 chart, where it remained for two weeks, peaking at #56.