exordiums

The “Orlando Furioso” possesses a merit unknown to the ancients — it is that of its exordiums.

A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

As therefore all orators make use of introductory remarks to get the benevolent attention of their audience, so our poet makes use of exordiums fitted to move and reach the hearer.

Essays and Miscellanies 2004

And in each one of the exordiums he invokes the Muse that she may make the value of what is said greater and more divine.

Essays and Miscellanies 2004

In the occasional use of obsolete words, and in laboured exordiums to both his histories, he is liable to the charge of affectation; but it is an affectation of language which supports solemnity without exciting disgust; and of sentiment which not only exalts human nature, but animates to virtuous exertions.

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 02: Augustus Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

In the occasional use of obsolete words, and in laboured exordiums to both his histories, he is liable to the charge of affectation; but it is an affectation of language which supports solemnity without exciting disgust; and of sentiment which not only exalts human nature, but animates to virtuous exertions.

De vita Caesarum Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

Indeed, judged by some of her early work in the reviews, and by the little philosophic exordiums with which she opens so many of her chapters, Tasma would have made a brilliant essayist.

Australian Writers Desmond Byrne

As to public orators, we can say that Mr. Kemble and his disciples occupy one third, or at least one fourth more time in delivering any given number of words than ever the stately William Pitt in his most slow and solemn exordiums.

The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor, Vol. I, No. 4, April 1810

It seems to be the desire of Sallust to atone for the dissipation of his youth by a total change of conduct; and whoever peruses his exordiums with the attention which they deserve, must feel a strong persuasion of the justness of his remarks, if not the incentives of a resolution to be governed by his example.

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 02: Augustus Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

That is contrary to received rules, which effects no one of those objects for the sake of which the rules concerning exordiums have been handed down.

The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Volume 4 Marcus Tullius Cicero

It is the true spirit of comedy which introduces into this closely perfumed atmosphere the bluff country figure of Sir Positive Trap, with his exordiums on the rustic ladies, and on "the good old English art of clear-starching."

Henry Fielding: a Memoir G. M. Godden