different between interlocutory vs preliminary

English

Adjective

interlocutory (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to dialogue or conversation.
   • 1821, Sir Walter Scott, Kenilworth, ch. 17:

     [A]s he passed through the crowded anterooms . . . never did Leicester return the general greeting with such ready and condescending courtesy. . . . For all the favourite Earl had a bow and smile at least, and often a kind word. . . . A few of Leicester's interlocutory sentences ran as follows:— "Poynings, good morrow; and how does your wife and fair daughter? . . ."

   • 1988, Armand White, "Arsenio Hall more relaxed in comedy with friend Eddy Murphy," Pittsburgh Press, 3 July, p. B8 (retrieved 2 Nov. 2010):

     The 13-week stint Hall did on Fox Broadcasting's "The Late Show" last fall proved the impact of his interlocutory style.

2. Interjected into something spoken.
3. (law) Expressed during a legal action that awaits final decision.
4. (law) Of or pertaining to legal action that is temporary or provisional.

Derived terms

• interlocution

Noun

interlocutory (plural interlocutories)

1. (rare) A person engaged in a conversation, an interlocutor.
   • 1905, George Bernard Shaw, Major Barbara, Act I:

     Lady Britomart is . . . well mannered and yet appallingly outspoken and indifferent to the opinion of her interlocutory.

2. Interpolated discussion or dialogue.

English

Alternative forms

• præliminary (archaic)

Etymology

From the French préliminaire or from Modern Latin prael?min?ris, formed from prae- (“before”) + l?men (“threshold”) + -?ris (adjectival suffix); compare Latin l?min?ris (“of or belonging to a threshold”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: pr?l?m??n?ri, IPA^(key): /p???l?m?n??i/
• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: pr?l?m??n?ri, IPA^(key): /p???l?m?n??i/

Adjective

preliminary (not comparable)

1. In preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory.

   Synonyms: initial, introductory, preparatory

   Antonyms: definitive, final

   • And then, after a few preliminary tries, the whole farm burst out into 'Beasts of England' in tremendous unison.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

preliminary (plural preliminaries)

1. A preparation for a main matter; an introduction.
2. Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists
3. A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing

Translations