In the preliminaries. A term in Scotch practice, applied to thepreliminary examination of a witness as to the following points: Whether he knows theparties, or bears ill will to either of them, or has received any reward or promise of rewardfor what he may say, or can lose or gain by the cause, or has been told by anyperson what to say. If the witness answer these questions satisfactorily, he is then examinedin causa, in the cause. Bell, Diet. “Evidence.”