adj.
Pronunciation: pri- ' li-m ə - ˌ ner- ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nar · ies
Etymology: French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective, preliminary, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold
Date: 1656
: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: as a : a preliminary scholastic examination b plural British : FRONT MATTER c : a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race) d : a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)