n. pl. ex·or·di·ums or ex·or·di·a (-dē-ə) A beginning or introductory part, especially of a speech or treatise. [Latin, from exōrdīrī, to begin : ex-, intensive pref.; see EX- + ōrdīrī, to begin; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ex·ordi·al adj. |
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