preliminary

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

   training is a necessary preliminary to employment

2. 2
   adj

   In preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory.

   These are just the preliminary results.

3. 3
   noun

   A preparation for a main matter; an introduction.

   In the Chinese novels, often of a very literary character, devoted to masculine love, it seems that all the preliminaries and transports of normal love are to be found, while physical union may terminate the scene.

4. 4
   adj

   denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

5. 5
   noun

   a minor match preceding the main event

6. 6
   noun

   Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists

7. 7
   noun

   A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin praelīmināris, formed from prae- (“before”) + līmen (“threshold”) + -āris (adjectival suffix); compare Latin līmināris (“of or belonging to a threshold”). Compare French préliminaire.