[prɪˈlɪmɪn(ə)ri], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important
(e.g: a preliminary draft)


Phrases:
- preliminary to

Origin:
mid 17th century: from modern Latin praeliminaris or French préliminaire, from Latin prae ‘before’ + limen, limin- ‘threshold’

[prɪˈlɪmɪn(ə)ri], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a preliminary action or event
(e.g: the bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack)


Phrases:
- preliminary to

Origin:
mid 17th century: from modern Latin praeliminaris or French préliminaire, from Latin prae ‘before’ + limen, limin- ‘threshold’