Linebyline (asker) Dec 23, 2010:

yes, sorry about the lack of context, I'm afraid that was the whole thing, nothing more to be had, v. paltry I agree, especially at this time of year!

cc in nyc Dec 23, 2010:

préalable ...can be translated in many ways – preliminary (as already posted). preparatory, prior, precondition, etc. – depending on the context. But you haven't even given us the entire (French) sentence. Bah, humbug!