It being the fact that; inasmuch as, Considering that; it being the case that; since; -- used to introduce a preamble which is the basis of declarations, affirmations, commands, requests, or like, that follow, In contrast; whilst on the contrary, noun_ A clause, as in legal documents, stating whereas, An introductory statement to a formal document; a preamble, A conditional statement, adverb_ obsolete At which place; where, obsolete Where (that)

Serving to introduce something else; leading to the main subject or business; preliminary; prefatory, introducing; giving a preview or idea of, serving as a base or starting point

One of two; the one or the other; -- properly used of two things, but sometimes of a larger number, for any one, Each of two; the one and the other; both; -- formerly, also, each of any number, adverb_ after a negative statement used as an intensive meaning something like `likewise' or `also', conjunctive, after a negative as well, conjunction_ Either precedes two, or more, co”rdinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative It is correlative to or, Introduces the first of two options, the second of which is introduced by "or", pronoun_ One or other of two people or things, obsolete Both, each of two (people or things)

Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory, Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory, denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding, noun_ a minor match preceding the main event, A preparation for a main matter; an introduction, That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory