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   Pre·lim·i·nar·y

   /prəˈliməˌnerē/

   

   adjective

   • 1. denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important: "the discussions were seen as preliminary to the policy paper" Similar preparatoryintroductoryinitialopeningprefatorypriorprecedinglead-ininitiatoryprecursoryearlyadvanceexploratorypilottesttrialexperimentalexplorativerare:precursiveprodromalprodromicpreludialprelusiveprelusoryOpposite concluding

   noun

   • 1. an action or event preceding or preparing for something fuller or more important: "the bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack" Similar preludepreparationpreliminary/preparatory measurepreliminary actionoverturegroundworkfirst round
   • ▪ business or talk, especially of a formulaic or polite nature, taking place before an action or event: "she began speaking, without preliminaries" Similar introductionpreambleopeningopening/prefatory remarksformalities
   • ▪ a preliminary round in a sporting competition.
   • ▪ the prelims or front matter of a book.

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from modern Latin praeliminaris or French préliminaire, from Latin prae ‘before’ + limen, limin- ‘threshold’.

   Scrabble Points: 18

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