[ig-zawr-dee-uh m, ik-sawr-] /ɪgˈzɔr di əm, ɪkˈsɔr-/
noun, plural exordiums, exordia
[ig-zawr-dee-uh, ik-sawr-] /ɪgˈzɔr di ə, ɪkˈsɔr-/ (Show IPA)
1.
the beginning of anything.
2.
the introductory part of an oration, treatise, etc.
Origin
1525-35; < Latinexōrdium, equivalent to ex-ex-1 + ōrd(īrī) to begin + -ium-ium
Related forms
exordial, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for exordium
exordium
/ɛkˈsɔːdɪəm/
noun (pl) -diums, -dia (-dɪə)
1.
an introductory part or beginning, esp of an oration or discourse
Derived Forms
exordial, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, from exōrdīrī to begin, from ōrdīrī to begin
Encyclopedia Article for exordium
in literature, the beginning or introduction, especially the introductory part of a discourse or composition. The term originally referred specifically to one of the traditional divisions of a speech established by classical rhetoricians.
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