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Definition of preparation - 5 dictionary results

prep⋅a⋅ra⋅tion

  [prep-uh-rey-shuhn]
Use preparation in a Sentence
–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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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prep·a·ra·tion   (prěp'ə-rā'shən)   
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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: prep·a·ra·tion
Pronunciation: "prep-&-'rA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the action or process of preparing
2 : something that is prepared; specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use preparation for colds>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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