preliminary

[1]	prelim
[2]	overture , introduction , beginning , prelude , opening , preparation , groundwork , prelude , precedence , overture
[3]	prelims , Rarely , preliminaries , introduction , preface , foreword , preamble , prologue , front matter , (Formal) proem , exordium , prolegomenon , prodromus , prodrome

adj.

[1]	advance , prior , introductory , beginning , initial , opening , preparatory , prefatory , preceding , antecedent , forerunning , premonitory , (Formal)/technical prodromal/prodromic