prelude
n.
1560s, from Middle French prélude "notes sung or played to test the voice or instrument" (1530s), from Medieval Latin preludium "prelude, preliminary," from Latin praeludere "to play beforehand for practice, preface," from prae- "before" (see pre-) + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous). Purely musical sense first attested in English 1650s. Related: Prelusion.
〔李〕[pre-=beforehand事先；lud=to play演奏；-e→“to play before-hand 事先演奏”→]Ⅰv. play a short music to introduce another奏序曲→Ⅱn.① short music before a large one序曲