lud-, ludi-, lus-

The study of games, in particular computer and video games: There are several colleges and universities in North America that offer some form of "video game studies", or ludology, ranging from computer science to prepare students for game-making careers to critiques of games as cultural interactions.

Ludology focuses on game designing, players, and their role in society and culture.

A clinical term used in human intimacy: Ludus love is a term for playful, meaningless love.

1. In music, a concluding piece or movement played at the end of an oratorio, etc.; a short piece of music that is usually played before a longer piece: The music of the postlude soared towards the ceiling of the ancient cathedral at the end of the concert.
2. A written or spoken epilogue or a conclusion: Jacob read the postlude at the end of the book before he read the full text.

1. A preliminary performance or activity that takes place before introducing one of more importance; a preface to a literary work: Douglas, the author, asked a fellow writer if he would write the prelude for Mildred's new book.
2. In music, a piece that is performed before the introduction to a musical presentation, especially such a movement preceding a fugue or forming the first piece of a suite: Johann Sebastian Bach wrote some of the most beautiful preludes Brian had ever heard.

When Tracy went to the opera, she had just a minute or two to read the program before the orchestra played the prelude.

The performance by the school choir was the prelude to the president of the school board's speech on music in the schools.

3. Etymology: from Middle French prélude, "notes sung" or "played to test a voice or instrument" (1532); from Middle Latin preludium, "prelude, preliminary"; from Latin præludere, "to play beforehand for practice, to preface"; from præ-, "before" + ludere, "to play".

1. To introduce an event, especially that which is longer and more important: The dark clouds are preluding a severe storm.

A good education and proper training are preluding Jim to a good career.

2. To introduce a piece of music prior to a bigger composition: The pianist preluded Wilhelm Richard Wagner's opera with a short Frédéric François Chopin presentation.
3. Etymology: from Latin praeludere, "to play before"; from pre-,"before" + ludere, "to play".

Concerning an introduction which indicates that something of a similar kind is to follow: Mrs. Dean, the principal of the high school, gave a prelusive speech at the graduation ceremony during which she talked about the achievements of the students.

Being, or seeming to be, an introductory comment or statement: Kelsey gave her most prelusively charming speech to the students to introduce them to the new machine shop on campus.

1. An introductory to a game, a performance, or entertainment: The youth watched the prolusion which was on the video screen before actually playing the video game.
2. A literary production intended as a preliminary dissertation on a subject which the author intends to treat more fully; a preliminary essay or article: The science fiction author, Mr. Dobbs, prepared a prolusion for publication in the local newspaper in anticipation of a later publication of his entire book.

1. A reference to a preliminary exercise: Doing 20 sit-ups was only the first of the most prolusory activities expected by the fitness trainer.
2. Descriptive of an essay that is written as a preface to a more detailed work: Dirk, last year's prize winner, was invited to write the prolusory introduction for the winner of this year's competition.