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preliminary

pre·lim·i·nar·y [ pri límmə nèrree ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
coming before something: occurring before and leading up to something, especially an event of greater size and importance



noun  (plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies)
Definition:
 
1. introductory or preparatory activity: something said or done before something else, often by way of introduction to or preparation for something of greater size and importance ( often used in the plural )

2. sports introductory contest: a sporting contest held before the main event, especially in boxing or wrestling

3. sports eliminatory contest: an eliminatory contest to select the finalists in a sports competition

4. education preparatory examination: a test that prepares students for a subsequent examination of greater difficulty and importance

[Mid-17th century. Directly or via French< modern Latin praeliminaris< Latin limen "threshold"]

pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly [ pri lìmmə nérrəlee ] adverb
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