adj., n., & adv.
--adj. introductory, preparatory.
--n. (pl. -ies) (usu. in pl.)
1. a preliminary action or arrangement (dispense with the preliminaries).
2 a preliminary trial or contest.
--adv. (foll. by to) preparatory to; in advance of (was completed preliminary to the main event).
Derivatives:
preliminarily adv.
Etymology: mod.L praeliminaris or F pr{eacute}liminaire (as PRE-, L limen liminis threshold)