propaedeutic

UK: /ˌprəʊpɪˈdjuːtɪk/ US: (prō′pi do̅o̅′tik, -dyo̅o̅′-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•pae•deu•tic  (prō′pi do̅o̅′tik, -dyo̅o̅′-), adj. Also, pro′pae•deu′ti•cal. 

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

n. 

3. a propaedeutic subject or study.
4. propaedeutics, (used with a sing. v.) the preliminary body of knowledge and rules necessary for the study of some art or science.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

propaedeutic / ˌprəʊpɪˈdjuːtɪk/ noun

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

adjective
also: propaedeutical

1. of, relating to, or providing such instruction

Etymology: 19th Century: from Greek propaideuein to teach in advance, from pro-² + paideuein to rear