The Collaborative International Dictionary
Exordiums
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] ||