preliminary : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: preliminary	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for preliminary
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
preliminary adj denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding; "a preliminary investigation" n a minor match preceding the main event [syn: preliminary, prelim] something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner" Synonym(s): preliminary, overture, prelude
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Preliminary \Prelim"inary\, a. [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. pr[82]liminaire. Cf. {Limit}.] 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Preliminary \Prelim"ina*ry\, n.; pl. {Preliminaries}. 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.