preliminaries


pre·lim·i·nar·y

P0524400 (prĭ-lĭm′ə-nĕr′ē)adj. Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory.n. pl. pre·lim·i·nar·ies often preliminaries Something that precedes another item of a similar kind, especially:a. A contest to determine the finalists in a competition.b. An event that precedes the main event, especially in boxing or wrestling.c. An academic examination taken before a longer, more complex, or more important examination.d. An introductory remark made before a speech, presentation, or meeting.
[From New Latin praelīmināris : Latin prae-, pre- + Latin līmen, līmin-, threshold.]
pre·lim′i·nar′i·ly (-nâr′ə-lē) adv.Synonyms: preliminary, introductory, prefatory, preparatory
These adjectives mean going before and preparing the way for something else: a preliminary investigation; introductory remarks; an author's prefatory notes; preparatory steps.

preliminaries

(prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪz) pl n (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) the full word for prelims
Translations
preliminari