Precursory

Serving as a preliminary or introductory action, event, or signal; happening or done before something else. It often suggests something done to prepare the way for a more important or significant event. This can be a brief or cursory examination, a tentative step, or a preliminary indication of what is to come. It implies an initial approach or stage. It can sometimes also suggest an unrefined or incomplete state, due to being in an early stage of development or execution.

Precursory meaning with examples

• The historian offered a precursory glance at the archives before diving into a more thorough examination of the documents. Her initial assessment provided a basic understanding of the historical context. This allowed her to form a more focused research plan, which enabled her to identify the most important themes and characters.
• A precursory weather warning, issued several days before the hurricane, allowed residents to begin preparing for potential impacts. People had the ability to start collecting supplies, and creating emergency plans. This allowed the population to ensure safety from the impending weather. They used the precursory warning to gather data and begin preparations.
• The band's precursory demo tape, though rough around the edges, showcased their potential to fans. While the quality of the recording was low, it generated some excitement, and provided some insights into their song writing. The rudimentary recording enabled them to gain some local fans. It led to them eventually finding a producer.
• The scientists conducted a precursory analysis of the data, identifying trends. The goal was to identify correlations before a complete analysis. These initial insights informed their decisions. This allowed them to direct resources to the most promising leads. This helped accelerate their research and allowed them to discover new information.
• Before releasing the final version, the software developers issued a precursory beta test, to obtain feedback. Testers offered suggestions for features, and uncovered bugs. This enabled them to refine the software. This helped to increase user satisfaction. The precursory test improved the final product.