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duce something else; leading to the main subject or business; preliminary; prefatory; as, introductory proceedings; an introductory discourse.

precedes two, or more, coördinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative. It is correlative to or. Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth. 1 Kings xviii. 27. Few writers hesitate to use either in what is called a triple alternative; such as, We must…

eating of, the elements, rudiments, or first principles of anything; initial; rudimental; introductory; as, an elementary treatise.

Pertaining to the exordium of a discourse: introductory. The exordial paragraph of the second epistle. I. Taylor.

A beginning; an introduction; especially, the introductory part of a discourse or written composition, which prepares the audience for the main subject; the opening part of an oration. "The exordium of repentance." Jer. Taylor. "Long prefaces and exordiums. " Addison.

An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue. [Obs.] This is but an induction: I will dMassinger.

Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.

Suitable for an introduction or beginning; introductory; prefatory; as, an initiatory step. Bp. Hall.

A formal and elaborate preliminary treatise; specifically, a treatise introductory to other treatises, or to a course of study; a guide; as, an introduction to English literature.

Serving to introduce; introductory. -- In`tro*duc"tive*ly, adv.

Introductory; especially, introductory to the study of theology.

A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

Of or pertaining to a preamble; introductory; contained or provided for in a preamble. "A preambulary tax." [R.] Burke.

Preceding; going before; introductory. [R.] Simon Magus had preambulatory impieties. Jer. Taylor.

Preceding; introductory; precursory. "A deep precursive sound." Coleridge.

Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks. This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. Shak. Heaven's high behest no preface needs. Milton.

Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks. That prefatory addition to the Creed. Dryden.

Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.

An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic wa…

Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory. [R.]