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preliminary

 - 4 dictionary results

pre⋅lim⋅i⋅nar⋅y

  [pri-lim-uh-ner-ee] adjective, noun, plural -nar⋅ies.
Use preliminary in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1650–60; < F prélimin(aire) and NL praelīmin(āris) (see pre-, liminal ) + -ary

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.

Antonyms:
1. concluding.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source 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

  1. Something that precedes, prepares for, or introduces the main matter, action, or business.

  2. An academic test or examination that is preparatory to one that is longer, more complex, or more important.

  3. Sports A contest to determine the finalists in a competition.

  4. Sports An event that precedes the main event of a particular program, especially in boxing or wrestling.

  5. Printing The front matter of a book. Often used in the plural.


[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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Word Origin & History

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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Legal Dictionary

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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