Ex·or·di·um n.; pl. E. Exordiums L. Exordia 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.
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exordium
n : (rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or
discourse
[also: exordia (pl)]