Preliminary

a. [Fr. préliminaire, Sp. preliminar, It. preliminare, from Lat. præ, before, and liminaris, belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance.] Introductory; previous; proëmial; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures.

Synonyms—Introductory; preparatory; proëmial; previous; prior; precedent.

n. That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something previous or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or treaty; the preliminaries to a combat:

Synonyms—Introduction; preface; prelude.