preliminary
UK [prɪ'lɪm.ɪ.nər.i] US [-ə.ner-] adjective [before noun]
IMPROVER
■coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it 初步的，起始的；预备的•Preliminary results show that the vaccine is effective, but this has to be confirmed by further medical trials.初查结果显示疫苗是有效的，但这有待于进一步医学实验的证实。 •We've decided to change the design based on our preliminary findings.我们决定依据初步调查的结果对设计方案进行更改。
UK [prɪ'lɪm.ɪ.nər.i] US [-ə.ner-] noun countable usually plural
■an event or action that introduces or prepares for something else 开端活动，初步行动•After a few polite preliminaries (= introductions) , we stated our main ideas and intentions.几句开场白后，我们陈述了我方的主要看法和意图。 •The French team finished first in the competition preliminaries (= the first part of the competition).法国队在预赛中名列第一。 |