prefatory

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

prefatory
    adj 1: serving as an introduction or preface [syn:
           {introductory}, {prefatorial}, {prefatory}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Prefatory \Pref"a*to*ry\, a.
   Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory
   to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.
   [1913 Webster]

         That prefatory addition to the Creed.    --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

28 Moby Thesaurus words for "prefatory":
      antecedent, anterior, chief, exordial, first, foremost, headmost,
      inaugural, inductive, initiatory, introductory, leading, opening,
      precedent, preceding, precessional, precursory, prefixed, prelim,
      preliminary, preludial, prelusive, preparatory, prepositive,
      prevenient, prior, proemial, propaedeutic

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