D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Preliminary

/prĭlĭmʹĭnĕri/ · Pre·lim·i·na·ry · IPA /pɹɪˈlɪmɪnɛɹi/
01 a. Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; prelimina…
  1. 1.
    Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.
Syn. Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.
02 n. That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negoti…
pl. Preliminaries
  1. 1.
    That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.
Syn. Introduction; preface; prelude.