Preliminary
/prɪˈlɪm.ɪ.ˌnɛr.i/noun
Serving as an introduction or preparation for something more important.
Did you know?Its deepest root is linked to Latin limen, meaning “threshold,” so the word originally describes what happens before you cross into the next space or state.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
praeliminaris
“pertaining to a threshold; preliminary”
Late Latin
Latin
prae- + limen
“before + threshold”
Old French
Old French
preliminaire
“preliminary; introductory”
16th Century
English
preliminary
“introductory; serving as a preparation”
Modern English
English
preliminary
“serving as a preparation or introduction”
Explore more surprising origins