preliminal
|pre-lim-i-nal|
/ˌpriːˈlɪmɪnəl/
before the threshold
Etymology
'preliminal' originates from Latin, specifically from the prefix 'prae-' (attested in English as 'pre-') and the root 'limen', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'limen' meant 'threshold'.
'preliminal' changed from Medieval/Neo-Latin formations such as 'preliminalis' (from 'prae-' + 'limen') and was adopted into English usage in specialist contexts (anthropology, psychology) as 'preliminal'.
Initially it was formed to mean 'relating to a threshold', but over time it has come to be used specifically to mean 'occurring before a liminal (threshold/transitional) stage'—i.e., the preparatory phase prior to liminality.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
occurring or existing before a liminal stage; preparatory to or preceding the threshold or transitional phase (i.e., before liminality).
The ceremony included a preliminal period during which participants received instruction and orientation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/10 21:20