prolegomenous

prolegomenon +‎ -ous

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɹəʊləˈɡɒmɪnəs/

prolegomenous (comparative more prolegomenous, superlative most prolegomenous)

1. (literary) Introductory; functioning as a preface or prolegomenon.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter I, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book VIII:

     […] it may not be amiss, in the prolegomenous or introductory chapter, to say something of that species of writing which is called the marvellous.

• prolegomenon
• prolegomenously