Part 489

Pre*lim"i*na*ri*ly (?), adv. In a preliminary manner.

Pre*lim"i*na*ry (?), a. [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. prÈliminaire. 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.

Syn. -- Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.

Pre*lim"i*na*ry, 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.

Syn. -- Introduction; preface; prelude.

Pre*lim"it (?), v. t. To limit previously. [R.]

Pre*look", v. i. To look forward. [Obs.] Surrey.

Pre"lude (?), n. [F. prÈlude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.] An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture.

The last Georgic was a good prelude to the ∆nis

Addison.

The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact.

Whewell.

Syn. -- Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.

Pre*lude" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. prÈluder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.

The musicians preluded on their instruments.

Sir. W. Scott.

We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.

Jeffrey.

Pre*lude", v. t. 1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.

2. To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.

Longfellow

Pre*lud"er (?), n. One who, or that which, preludes; one who plays a prelude. Mason.

Pre*lud"i*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory. [R.]

Pre*lud"i*ous (?), a. Preludial. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Pre*lum"bar (?), a. (Anat.) Situated immediately in front of the loins; -- applied to the dorsal part of the abdomen.

Pre*lu"sive (?), a. [See Prelude.] Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that something of a like kind is to follow. "Prelusive drops." Thomson. --Pre*lu"sive*ly, adv.

Pre*lu"so*ri*ly (?), adv. In a prelusory way.

Pre*lu"so*ry (?), a. Introductory; prelusive. Bacon.