beginning the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations"
germination the origin of some development; "the germination of their discontent"
cause a justification for something existing or happening; "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice"
preliminary,
prelude,
overture something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
