the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. 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 Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. The beginning of anything; specifically, the introductory part of a discourse, intended to prepare the audience for the main subject; the preface or proemial part of a composition.
n.Synonyms Proem; Prelude, Preface, etc. See introduction.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. (rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse
Word Usage
"[1795] * Your exordium is the worst part of the translation."