preliminary
UK /pɹɪˈlɪmɪn(ə)ɹi/ · US /pɹɪˈlɪmɪnɛɹi/ adjective, noun
Forms preliminaries præliminary
- adjective In preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory. “These are just the preliminary results.”
- noun A preparation for a main matter; an introduction.
- noun Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists.
- noun A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin praelīmināris, formed from prae- (“before”) + līmen (“threshold”) + -āris (adjectival suffix); compare Latin līmināris (“of or belonging to a threshold”). Compare French préliminaire.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective 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.
- noun 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.
Etymology [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. préliminaire. Cf. Limit.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “preliminary”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details