preliminary
[ pri-lim-uh-ner-ee ]
/ prɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i /
adjective
preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory: preliminary examinations.
noun, plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies.
something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.: He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals.
a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program: A preliminary was fought at 8:00.
a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.
preliminaries, Printing.
front matter.
Origin of preliminary
SYNONYMS FOR preliminary
1
prefatory.
Preliminary,
introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is
preliminary is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details which would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like, which have to do only incidentally with the principal subject:
preliminary negotiations. That which is
introductory leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration:
introductory steps.
OTHER WORDS FROM preliminary
pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly, adverbWords nearby preliminary
Definition for preliminaries (2 of 2)
front matter
noun Printing.
all material in a book that precedes the text proper, as the title page, copyright page, table of contents, dedication, and preface.
Also called
preliminaries.
Compare
back matter.
Origin of front matter
An Americanism dating back to 1905–10
Example sentences from the Web for preliminaries
British Dictionary definitions for preliminaries (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for preliminaries (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for preliminaries (3 of 3)
preliminary
/ (prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪ) /
adjective
(usually prenominal)
occurring before or in preparation; introductory
noun plural -naries
a preliminary event or occurrence
an eliminating contest held before the main competition
Derived forms of preliminary
preliminarily, adverbWord Origin for preliminary
C17: from New Latin
praelīmināris, from Latin
prae before +
līmen threshold