exordium

 
Pronunciation: /ɪgˈzɔːdɪəm, ɛg-/

noun (plural exordiums or exordia /-dɪə/)

formal
  • the beginning or introductory part, especially of a discourse or treatise.

Derivatives

exordial

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin, from exordiri 'begin', from ex- 'out, from' + ordiri 'begin'