proem
An introduction, preface or preamble.
Near-synonyms: foretale, prologue; see also Thesaurus:foreword
Where it comes from
Inherited from Middle English proheme, from Old French proheme, from Latin prooemium, from Ancient Greek προοίμιον (prooímion).
Adapted from the Wiktionary entry proem (CC BY-SA 4.0).