introductory study or treatise
• (n.) A preliminary remark or observation; an introductory discourse prefixed to a book or treatise.
Prol`e·gom'e·non noun ; plural Prolegomena . [ New Latin , from Greek ..., properly neut. pass. present participle of ... to say beforehand; ... before + ... to say.] A preliminary remark or observation; an introductory discourse prefixed to a book or treatise. D. Stokes (1659)....
prolegomenon 1. A long introductory essay. 2. A preliminary discussion or introductory essay; especially, to a book or treatise. 3. Etymology: from Greek pro-, 'before' plus logein, 'to say'; that is, 'to say before'.
noun a preliminary discussion inserted at the beginning of a book or treatise
a preliminary discussion; introductory essay, as prefatory matter in a book; a prologue. · Usually, a treatise serving as a preface or introduction to a book.