prologize, v.
(ˈprɒlədʒaɪz, ˈprəʊl-)
See also prologuize.
[ad. Gr. προλογίζειν to speak the prologue: see prologue n. and -ize.]
intr. To compose or speak a prologue.
| 1608 Beaum. & Fl. Four Plays in One Induct., Prologues are Huishers bare before the wise; Why may not then an Huisher Prologize? a 1674 Milton Wks. (1738) I. p. xliii, There may prologize the Spirit of Philip, Herod's Brother. 1822 Blackw. Mag. XII. 782 His Lordship might as dramatically..have brought forward a god or devil to prologize as of old. 1871 Browning Balaust. 166 Any who could speak A chorus to the end, or prologize, Roll out a rhesis,..had prompt reward. |
b. trans. To preface with a prologue; to epitomize in a prologue.
| 1779 Coll. Eng. Prologues & Epil. I. p. iii, Making every actor prologize the part he is to perform, ‘I am to do, so and so’. |
Hence ˈprologizing vbl. n.; also ˈprologizer.
| 1822 Blackw. Mag. XII. 783 In the old dramatists of Greece, prologizing..formed..an integral portion of the structure of the piece. 1832 Examiner 149/1 The Westminster prologizer has been led into his error by the spirit and pure idiom of the English translation. |