precursory

[ pri-kur-suh-ree ]

adjective

1. of the nature of a precursor; preliminary; introductory:

   precursory remarks.

2. indicative of something to follow:

   precursory indications of disease.

precursory

/ prɪˈkɜːsərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as a precursor
2. preliminary or introductory

Word History and Origins

Origin of precursory¹

From the Latin word praecursōrius, dating back to 1590–1600. See precursor, cursory

Example Sentences

"There are some cases where there are dramatic and very distinctive precursory seismic signals that precede a catastrophic landslide, sometimes by as much as days," Highman noted.

From Science Daily

“It doesn’t give you a precursory, predictive ability because it’s a statement of how you’ve summed it rather than what’s going on at a particular earthquake,” she adds.

From Scientific American

These observations suggest perhaps there really are precursory signals for at least some huge quakes.

From Scientific American

But researchers said there are few large-scale earthquakes to study in California and that makes it difficult to indicate whether precursory signals at one fault would apply to others.

From Los Angeles Times

Not only does immobile magma stay silent, but the molten mass was already so close to the surface that should the flank have broken apart, it would have immediately erupted without the usual precursory clamor.

From New York Times

Related Words

• exploratory
• preparatory
• prior