WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pre*lim"i*na*ry
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. pr?liminaire. Cf. Limit.]
Definition : Defn: Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.

Syn. -- Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Pre*lim"i*na*ry
Part of Speech : n.;
Definition : Defn: That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.

Syn. -- Introduction; preface; prelude.

pl. Preliminaries (.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913