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Definition of: preliminary
(pri·lim′ə·ner′ē) adjective
Antecedent or introductory to the main discourse, proceedings, or business; prefatory; preparatory.
—noun plural ·ries
1. An initiatory step; a preparatory act.
2. A preliminary examination. See synonyms under ANTECEDENT. [<PRE- + L liminaris pertaining to a threshold <limen, liminis threshold]
—pre·lim′i·nar′i·ly adverb
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