The action or process of leading to or preparing the way for something; that which leads on to some result; a preliminary or initiatory step or…

figurative. A leading up to something, introduction. Obsolete. rare.

That which introduces or leads on or in to something; an introduction. Now rare.

gen. A preceding or introductory fact or circumstance; a preliminary; esp. one that foreshadows what is to come; a presage.

esp. A graceful brandishing of the weapon by way of salute or display at the beginning of a fencing match. †Hence figurative a prolusion…

A prelude or introduction; a preliminary; a precursor or foreshadowing.

The very beginning, the earliest stage; a starting point, an introduction; (also) a source or origin.

gen. A preparatory act, procedure, or circumstance; something that prepares the way for something else; a preliminary; a preparation.

The beginning of anything; esp. the introductory part of a discourse, treatise, etc.; ‘the proemial part of a composition’ (Johnson).

figurative. Introduction. Obsolete.

The action of forego, v.; a going before, preceding, or leading the way.

In extended use and in figurative contexts: an introductory or preliminary act, event, etc.

figurative and in extended use. A preliminary or introductory event, action, etc.

A prelude, an introduction; a precursor.

In extended use and figurative. A commencement, beginning, prelude.

A preliminary event before a contest, performance, etc.; a prelude. Also: introductory or preliminary matter or activity.

A step leading on to something further; a preliminary step.

An action, measure, statement, etc., that precedes another to which it is introductory or preparatory; (in plural) preparatory measures or…

A preliminary action or matter; = preliminary, n.

The action of flourish, v. in various senses.

Any of various minor or preliminary things or activities (see quots.). Now slang.

The action of prelude, v.; (also as a count noun) a prelude, a precursor.

A word said before something else; hence, an introduction, a preface.

A preliminary, esp. a preliminary examination or sporting contest; = preliminary, n. 2. Also: a student in a preliminary class (now rare)…

A preliminary step.

An introduction or opening; a preamble. Cf. lead-in, n. 2.

an introductory remark or stratagem, esp. one designed to make social contact or secure one's own position.

Something that introduces or (necessarily) precedes a subject, event, etc.; a preliminary. Chiefly with to.

transferred and figurative. An introduction, opening, etc.

An introductory or preliminary event, esp. in a sporting contest. Frequently attributive.

Something that leads up to something else.

= introduction, n.