(a.) Preparing the way; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition\.

antecedent anterior basic before chief elementary essential exordial first foremost fundamental headmost in preparation for inaugural inductive initiatory introductory leading opening precedent preceding precessional precursory prefatory prelim preliminary preludial prelusive preparative prerequisite prevenient primary prior proemial propaedeutic provident provisional rudimentary