I. pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē noun
( 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)
II. adjective
Date: circa 1667
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
• pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly -ˌli-mə-ˈner-ə-lē adverb