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 IG12.5.2; before the marriage-rite, π. δ᾽ ἤδη παιδὸς ἔσφαξας θεᾷ; E.IA718, 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.
προτέλ-ειος , ον, (τέλος)