adj. 25B6; adjective the discussions are still at a preliminary stage : PREPARATORY, introductory, initial, opening, prefatory, precursory; early, exploratory.
final.
25B6; noun
he began without any preliminaries : INTRODUCTION, preamble, opening/prefatory remarks, formalities.
a preliminary to the resumption of war : PRELUDE, preparation, preparatory measure, preliminary action.
25A0; preliminary to IN PREPARATION FOR, before, in advance of, prior to, preparatory to.