Preliminary Latin Noun Main Event Adjective Contest Plural

pre·lim·i·nary

I

\\pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē\\ noun
(plural -nar·ies): something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: as
  a. a preliminary scholastic examination
  b. plural, British :
  c. a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)
  d. a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)

II

adjective: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
    preliminary studies
    preliminary results
• pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly \\-ˌli-mə-ˈner-ə-lē\\ adverb

preliminary
  1656, from Fr. préliminaire or M.L. præliminaris, from L. præ- "before" + limen (gen. liminis) "threshold." A word that arose in ref. to negotiations to end the Thirty Years' War.

preliminary
pre·lim·in·ary / pri5liminEri; NAmE -neri / adjective    ~ (to sth) happening before a more important action or event
   预备性的；初步的；开始的
   SYN 

initial

:
   After a few preliminary remarks he announced the winners.
   说了几句开场白之后,他即宣布优胜者名单。
   preliminary results / findings / enquiries
   初步结果/发现/调查
   the preliminary rounds of the contest
   预赛
   pilot studies preliminary to a full-scale study
   全面进行研究前的试验性研究 noun (pl. -ies)
   ~ (to sth) a preliminary is an action or event that is done in preparation for sth
   初步行动(或活动)；预备性措施:
   Research will be needed as a preliminary to taking a decision.
   作出决定之前需要进行研究。
   I'll skip the usual preliminaries and come straight to the point.
   闲话少说,我就直接进入正题。
   England was lucky to get through the preliminaries (= the

preliminary

stages in a sports competition).
   英格兰队幸运地通过了预选赛。

preliminary adj.

pre·lim·i·nary
I. \prə̇ˈliməˌnerē, prēˈ-, -ri\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective
: something that precedes a main discourse, work, design, or business : something introductory or preparatory (as a preparatory step or measure): as
 a. : a preliminary scholastic examination (as of a candidate for a higher degree)
 b. : a contest designed to eliminate the less qualified competitors (as in a sport) prior to a decisive contest
 c. preliminaries plural, Britain :
 d. : a minor match or contest that precedes the main event (as of a boxing card)
II. adjective
Etymology: French préliminaire, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold + -aris -ar — more at
1. : preceding the main discourse or business : ,
 < preliminary articles to a treaty >
2. : lying before : leading to : being at the threshold of
 < hills that are preliminary to the mountains — John Burroughs >
III. adverb

: as a preliminary