To occur or happen in the period immediately before an event; to form the series of events or circumstances that culminate in a later event.
2.
Globalneutralliteral
To extend or lead toward a place or object in physical space, as a path, road, or track does toward a destination.
3.
Globalinformalrhetorical
To introduce or prepare someone gradually for a topic, idea, or action; to present preceding information or remarks that make a subsequent point easier to accept or understand.