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Definition 2025
prequel
prequel
English
Noun
prequel (plural prequels)
- (narratology) In a series of works, an installment that is set chronologically before its predecessor, especially the original narrative or (perhaps improper usage) any narrative work with at least one sequel.
- 1980, Patrick Robertson, Movie Facts and Feats: A Guinness Record Book, New York: Sterling Publishing, p. 43:
- 'Prequels' are sequels that relate the story that preceded the original film.
- 2008, 26 February, Andrew Pierce, "JRR Tolkien's estate to sue Lord of the Rings filmmakers New Line Cinema over profits, in The Daily Telegraph
- They are also threatening to block the production of the long-awaited prequel, The Hobbit, which may now be cancelled.
- 1980, Patrick Robertson, Movie Facts and Feats: A Guinness Record Book, New York: Sterling Publishing, p. 43:
Usage notes
Most often used, not as a direct antonym of sequel, to refer to earlier works in a series, but to refer to works that are chronologically before but are created and released after; an archetypal example is the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
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Translations
in a series of works, an installment that is set chronologically before its predecessor