exordium

n.; pl. E. Exordiums L. Exordia [ 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 ]