Ex*or"di*um (?), n.; pl. E. Exordiums (#), L. Exordia . [L. fr. exordiri to begin a web, lay a warp, begin; ex out + ordiri to begin a web, begin; akin to E. order. See Order.]
A beginning; an introduction; especially, the introductory part of a discourse or written composition, which prepares the audience for the main subject; the opening part of an oration.
"The
exordium of repentance."
Jer. Taylor. "Long prefaces and
exordiums. "
Addison.
© Webster 1913.