| 释义 |
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 : front matter
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 limb
1. : preceding the main discourse or business : introductory, previous
< 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 |