I.an opening or introduction to a thing; in Music, a prelude, overture, Pind.; in poems and speeches, a proem, preface, preamble, introduction, Lat. exordium, id=Pind., Xen.
2.metaph. of any prelude or beginning, φροίμιον χορεύσομαι Aesch.; μηδέπω 'ν προοιμίοις only just beginning, id=Aesch.; εἴ τι τοῦδε φρ. ματᾷ if any part of this presage be vain, id=Aesch.
II.generally, a hymn, Thuc., Plat.