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preparation
6 dictionary results for: preparation
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
prep·a·ra·tion       [prep-uh-rey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.a proceeding, measure, or provision by which one prepares for something: preparations for a journey.
2.any proceeding, experience, or the like considered as a mode of preparing for the future.
3.an act of preparing.
4.the state of being prepared.
5.something prepared, manufactured, or compounded: a special preparation for sunbathers.
6.a specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.
7.Music.
a.the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
b.the tone so introduced.
8.New Testament. the day before the Sabbath or a feast day.
9.British. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.
10.the Preparation, the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME preparacion < L praeparātiōn- (s. of praeparātiō), a preparing, equiv. to praeparāt(us) (ptp. of praeparāre to prepare) + -iōn- -ion]
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
prep·a·ra·tion       (prěp'ə-rā'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. The act or process of preparing.
  2. The state of having been made ready beforehand; readiness.
  3. A preliminary measure that serves to make ready for something. Often used in the plural: preparations for the wedding.
  4. A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.
  5. Music
    1. The anticipation of a dissonant tone by means of its introduction as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
    2. The dissonant tone so anticipated.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
preparation 
1390, "act of preparing," from L. præparationem (nom. præparatio) "a making ready," from præparatus, pp. of præparare "prepare," from præ- "before" + parare "make ready" (see pare). Meaning "a substance especially prepared" is from 1646. Verb prepare is attested from 1466, from M.Fr. preparer, from L. præparare; slang shortening prep is from 1927. Preparatory is first recorded 1413, from L.L. præparatorius, from L. præparatus. Applied from 1822 to junior schools in which pupils are "prepared" for a higher school.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
preparation

noun
1. the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose; "preparations for the ceremony had begun" 
2. a substance prepared according to a formula; "the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine" [syn: formulation
3. the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening; "his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties" [syn: planning
4. the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them in readiness"; "their preparation was more than adequate" [syn: readiness
5. (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord; "the resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance" [ant: resolution
6. activity leading to skilled behavior [syn: training
7. preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home) [syn: homework
8. the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat; "cooking can be a great art"; "people are needed who have experience in cookery"; "he left the preparation of meals to his wife" [syn: cooking

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

preparation prep·a·ra·tion (prěp'ə-rā'shən)
n.
A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Preparation

Prep`a*ra"tion\, n. [F. pr['e]paration, L. praeparatio. See Prepare.]

1. The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.

2. The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for war.

3. That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a preparatory act or measure.

I will show what preparations there were in nature for this dissolution. --T. Burnet.

4. That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination. Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. (c) Something prepared for use in cookery.

I wish the chemists had been more sparing who magnify their preparations. --Sir T. Browne.

In the preparations of cookery, the most volatile parts of vegetables are destroyed. --Arbuthnot.

5. An army or fleet. [Obs.] --Shak.

6. (Mus.) The holding over of a note from one chord into the next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See Suspension.

7. Accomplishment; qualification. [Obs.] --Shak.

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