(adj)denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
a. [ Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. préliminaire. Cf. Limit. ] Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.; pl.Preliminaries That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college. [ 1913 Webster ]
[しょどう, shodou](n) (1) initial response (e.g. to a crisis); action in the earliest stages; (2) initial shock (e.g. of earthquake); preliminary tremor[Add to Longdo]