This was Today's Word back in March of 1995.

Aramis is having a theology discussion with two churchmen,
and one praises his exordium.

exordium
n.,
pl. 3di[ums or 3di[a 73!8 5L < exordiri, to begin a web, begin < ex3, from + ordiri, to lay the warp, begin: for IE base see ORDER6 the opening part of an oration, treatise, etc.
ex[or4di[al
adj.