preliminary

preliminary
pre|lim|i|na|ry1 [prıˈlımınəri US -neri] adj [only before noun]
[Date: 1600-1700; : French; Origin: préliminaire, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, from Latin limen 'threshold']
happening before something that is more important, often in order to prepare for it
the preliminary stages of the competition
a preliminary draft
preliminary to
The discussions were preliminary to preparing a policy paper.
preliminary 2
preliminary2 plural preliminaries
n [C usually plural]
1.) something that is said or done first, to introduce or prepare for something else
preliminary to
Pilot studies are a useful preliminary to large research projects.
After the usual preliminaries , the chairman made his announcement.
2.) one of the games in the first part of a competition, when it is decided who will go on to the main competition
Four teams will be eliminated in the preliminaries.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • preliminary — pre‧lim‧i‧na‧ry [prɪˈlɪmnri ǁ neri] adjective [only before a noun] coming before something more official, more important etc: • Preliminary estimates indicate that earnings will decline substantially from a year ago. • The group will set the… …   Financial and business terms

  • preliminary — pre·lim·i·nary /pri li mə ˌner ē/ adj: coming before and usu. serving as a temporary or intermediate step to something preliminary negotiations a preliminary payment plan preliminary n Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • preliminary — adj Preliminary, introductory, preparatory, prefatory describe something that serves to make ready the way for something else. Preliminary suggests reference to what must be done or made ready or acquired before entrance into some definitive… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Preliminary — may refer to:*Preliminary English Test *Preliminary examination *Preliminary finals *Preliminary hearing *Preliminary Multistate Bar Review *Preliminary Notice …   Wikipedia

  • Preliminary — Pre*lim i*na*ry, a. [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. pr[ e]liminaire. Cf. {Limit}.] Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • preliminary — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important. ► NOUN (pl. preliminaries) 1) a preliminary action or event. 2) a preliminary round in a sporting competition. ORIGIN Latin praeliminaris, from prae before +… …   English terms dictionary

  • preliminary — [prē lim′ə ner΄ē, prilim′ə ner΄ē] adj. [< Fr préliminaire or ModL praeliminaris < L prae (see PRE ) + L liminaris, of a threshold < limen, threshold (see LIMEN)] coming before or leading up to the main action, discussion, business, etc.; …   English World dictionary

  • preliminary — [adj] introductory, initial basic, elemental, elementary, exploratory, first, fundamental, inductive, initiatory, opening, pilot, preceding, precursory, prefatory, preparatory, preparing, primal, primary, prior, qualifying, readying, test, trial; …   New thesaurus

  • Preliminary — Pre*lim i*na*ry, n.; pl. {Preliminaries}. 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • preliminary — 1650s, from Fr. préliminaire or M.L. praeliminaris, from L. prae before (see PRE (Cf. pre )) + limen (gen. liminis) threshold. A word that arose in reference to negotiations to end the Thirty Years War …   Etymology dictionary

  • preliminary — Introductory; initiatory; preceding; temporary and provisional; as preliminary examination, injunction, articles of peace, etc @ preliminary complaint In some states, a court without jurisdiction to hear a criminal case on its merits may issue a… …   Black's law dictionary

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