In`tro*duc"tion (?), n. [L.
introductio: cf. F. introduction. See
Introduce.]
1. The act of introducing, or bringing to
notice.
2. The act of formally making persons known
to each other; a presentation or making known of one person to
another by name; as, the introduction of one stranger to
another.
3. That part of a book or discourse which
introduces or leads the way to the main subject, or part;
preliminary; matter; preface; proem; exordium.
4. A formal and elaborate preliminary
treatise; specifically, a treatise introductory to other treatises,
or to a course of study; a guide; as, an introduction to
English literature.