Main Entry: ¹pre·lim·i·nary

Pronunciation: \pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies

Etymology: French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective, preliminary, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold

Date: 1656

: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: as a : a preliminary scholastic examination b plural British : front matter c : a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race) d : a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)