Propaedeutic
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
- 1 An introductory course of instruction.
"This chapter aims to be a propedeutic because there are many specific lines of argument that could, and should, be developed from the observation of the unique values-based and globalized-movement nature of co-operatives […]"
- 2 a course that provides an introduction to an art or science (or to more advanced study generally) wordnet
- 1 Preparatory or introductory. formal
"On the other hand, the German university exhibits a system in which the university course is almost wholly special; the liberal and propædeutic studies are relegated to the grammar-school."
- 1 preceding and preparing for something wordnet
Example
More examples"In the project "Springboard to Languages," they teach Esperanto in schools in Great Britain as a propaedeutic to prepare for learning other languages."
Etymology
From the Ancient Greek προπαιδεύω (propaideúō, “I give preparatory instruction”), from πρό (pró, “before”) + παιδεύω (paideúō, “I teach”).
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.