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Definition of preliminary - 6 dictionary results
pre⋅lim⋅i⋅nar⋅y
[pri-lim-uh-ner-ee] 
əˌnɛr
adjective, noun, plural -nar⋅ies.–adjective
| 1. | preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory: preliminary examinations. |
–noun
| 2. | something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.: He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals. |
| 3. | a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program: A preliminary was fought at 8:00. |
| 4. | a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree. |
| 5. | preliminaries, Printing. front matter. |
Related forms:
pre⋅lim⋅i⋅nar⋅i⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
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.
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.
Antonyms:
1. concluding.
1. concluding.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To preliminary
| pre·lim·i·nar·y (prĭ-lĭm'ə-něr'ē) adj. Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory. n. pl. pre·lim·i·nar·ies
[From New Latin praelīmināris : Latin prae-, pre- + Latin līmen, līmin-, threshold.] pre·lim'i·nar'i·ly (-nâr'ə-lē) adv. Synonyms: These adjectives mean going before and preparing the way for something else: a preliminary investigation; introductory remarks; an author's prefatory notes; preparatory steps. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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 observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations. Syn: Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.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 entering college. Syn: Introduction; preface; prelude.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : preliminary
Spanish:
preliminar,
German:
einleitend,
Japanese:
前置きの
preliminary
1656, from Fr. préliminaire or M.L. præliminaris, from L. præ- "before" + limen (gen. liminis) "threshold." A word that arose in ref. to negotiations to end the Thirty Years' War.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pre·lim·i·nary
Pronunciation: pri-'li-m&-"ner-E
Function: adjective
: coming before and usually serving as a temporary or intermediate step to something <preliminary negotiations> preliminary payment plan> —preliminary noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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