prologue
(US also prolog), / ˈprəulɔg; ?@ -lɔ:g; `prolɔɡ/ n ~ (to sth)
1 introductory part of a poem or play 序诗; 开场白
the `Prologue' to the `Canterbury Tales' 《坎特伯雷故事集》的《序诗》. Cf 参看 epilogue.
2 act or event that is an introduction to sth or leads up to sth; first in a series of events 引出或引致某事物的行动或事件; 一系列事件的开端; 序幕
The signing of the agreement was a prologue to better relations between the two countries. 签订这一协定更促进了两国的关系.