exposition

noun

1. The action of exposing something to something, such as skin to the sunlight.
2. The act or process of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing, in nonfiction or in fiction; the portions and aspects of a piece of writing that exist mainly to describe or explain a set of things (such as, in fiction, the setting, characters and other non-plot elements).
3. The act of expulsion, or being expelled, from a place.
4. An exhibition, especially of goods, artwork or cultural displays to the public.
5. An essay or speech in which any topic is discussed in detail.
6. An opening section in fiction, in which background information about the characters, events or setting is conveyed.
7. The opening section of a movement in sonata form; the opening section of a fugue.
8. The abandonment of an unwanted child.