Words & WritingGreek → English
Prolegomenon
/ˌproʊlɪˈɡɒmɪnɒn/noun
A formal introduction setting out the assumptions and scope of a longer work.
The Greek roots
πρό
pró
before, in front of
λέγειν
légein
to say, to speak
Literally: “the thing said beforehand”
The story of the word
The form is a passive participle, the thing being said in advance, which is why the plural prolegomena is far commoner than the singular. Kant published his Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics in 1783 as a short way in to the Critique nobody had managed to read, and the title fixed the word in philosophical English. A prolegomenon differs from a preface by arguing rather than apologising.
- How it travelled
- Ancient Greek → Modern Latin → English
- First recorded
- 17th century
Same family
prologuelegendlexicondialogueeclectic
In a sentence
The prolegomenon runs to eighty pages and is the part most people actually cite.