προτέλεια

A. before a ceremony of initiation, etc.: Subst. προτέλεια (sc. ἱερά), τά, sacrifice offered before any solemnity, θυτὴρ γενέσθαι . ., προτέλεια ναῶν as an offering in behalf of . ., A. Ag. 227 (lyr.); π. Ἐλευσινίων restd. in IG 12.5.2; before the marriage-rite, π. δ’ ἤδη παιδὸς ἔσφαξας θεᾷ; E. IA 718, cf. Pl.Com. 174.5; π. γάμων Pl. Lg. 774e, cf. Men. 1058, Ael.Dion.p.61 Schwabe: rarely in sg., Aristid. Quint. 3.27.

2. generally, beginning, ἐν προτελείοις κάμακος in the preliminary conflicts, A. Ag. 65 (anap.); ἐν βιότου π. ib.720 (lyr).

b. metaph., introduction, τὰ π. τῆς φιλοσοφίας Ph. 1.294, cf. Gal. Phil. Hist. 16; π. γράφων τῆς ἀκροάσεως Procl. in Prm. p.541 S.: rarely in sg., Them. Or. 20.235d.