proemial, a.
(prəʊˈiːmɪəl)
Also proœmial.
[f. L. proœmi-um proem + -al1.]
Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a proem; prefatory, introductory.
| 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 136 Thine erys inclyne To prohemyal preyer wych I the made to. 1597 J. King On Jonas (1618) 457 In this proœmiall sentence. 1659 H. L'Estrange Alliance Div. Off. 240 Baptism was never afforded to persons adult without Repentance, proemial and preparatory to it. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 1 ¶3 The epick writers have found the proemial part of the poem such an addition to their undertaking. 1838–9 Hallam Hist. Lit. IV. iv. iii. §15. 69 The Logic is introduced by two proœmial books. 1841 Blackw. Mag. L. 629 Introduced by the chanter with a proemial address to some deity. |
Hence proˈemially adv., by way of introduction.
| 1898 F. Davis Rom.-Brit. City Silchester 29 A building not less interesting, and proemially far more potent. |