propaedeutic

[ proh-pi-doo-tik, -dyoo- ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of preliminary instruction.
2. introductory to some art or science.

noun

1. a propaedeutic subject or study.
2. propaedeutics, (used with a singular verb) the preliminary body of knowledge and rules necessary for the study of some art or science.

propaedeutic

/ ˌprəʊpɪˈdjuːtɪk /

noun

1. often plural preparatory instruction basic to further study of an art or science

adjective

1. of, relating to, or providing such instruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaedeutic¹

1830–40; pro- ² + Greek paideutikós pertaining to teaching, equivalent to paideú ( ein ) to teach (derivative of paîs child; pedo- ¹ ) + -tikos -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaedeutic¹

C19: from Greek propaideuein to teach in advance, from pro- ² + paideuein to rear

Example Sentences

Thus of the four faculties into which university teaching was organized, that of arts, with its degrees of Baccalaureat and Magister, was regarded as propaedeutic to those of theology, law and medicine.

From Project Gutenberg

His teaching could not with justice be styled docetic or Apollinarian, but its mystic tone was so pronounced that it proved a propaedeutic for monophysitism.

From Project Gutenberg

Of those who favor such a philosophical propaedeutic some recommend the History of Philosophy, others an Introduction to Philosophy of the type described in the preceding pages.

From Project Gutenberg

Theaetetus, the hero of the battle of Corinth and of the dialogue, is a disciple of Theodorus, the great geometrician, whose science is thus indicated to be the propaedeutic to philosophy.

From Project Gutenberg

When we ask what is the object of these paradoxes, some have answered that they are a mere logical puzzle, while others have seen in them an Hegelian propaedeutic of the doctrine of Ideas.

From Project Gutenberg