A 初步的，预备的，开端的coming before and introducing or preparing for sth more important

　～ estimate　初步的估计
　～ examination　初试
　～ arrangements　初步的安排
　～ remark　前言

　They are taking preliminary steps in preparation for a possible war.　他们正在为应付一场可能的战争做初步的准备。
　The chairman made a preliminary statement before beginning the main business of the meeting.　在会议主要议程开始之前，主席致了开幕词。

P 准备工作，初步行动sth done first

　arrange -ries　安排准备工作
　go through -ries　履行预备手续
　the inevitable ～　不可避免的预备程序
　the polite ～　客套话
　as a ～　作为预备程序
　without -ries　毫无准备
　-ries to join the army　参军前的准备工作

　There are a lot of preliminaries to be gone through before you can visit certain foreigners.　在访问某些外国人之前要做好许多准备工作。
　She spent a long time on polite preliminaries.　她开始时讲了很长时间的客套话。

　［同义词］ adj. basic, elementary
　［词源］拉丁语praeliminaris（初步的）