— preliminarily , adv.
/pri lim"euh ner'ee/ , adj., n., pl. preliminaries .
adj.
1. preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory: preliminary examinations.
n.
2. something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.: He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals.
3. a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program: A preliminary was fought at 8:00.
4. a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.
5. preliminaries , Print. See front matter .
[ 1650-60; prélimin ( aire ) and NL praelimin ( aris ) (see PRE-, LIMINAL) + -ARY ]
Syn. 1. prefatory. PRELIMINARY, INTRODUCTORY both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is PRELIMINARY is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details which would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like, which have to do only incidentally with the principal subject: preliminary negotiations. That which is INTRODUCTORY leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration: introductory steps.
Ant. 1. concluding.