adjective 1.serving or designed to
prepare:
preparatory arrangements. 2.preliminary; introductory: preparatory remarks.
3.of or pertaining to training that
prepares for more advanced education.
Idioms 4.preparatory to, in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off.
Origin: 1375–1425; late Middle English <
Medieval Latin praeparātōrius. See
prepare,
-tory1 Related forms pre·par·a·to·ri·ly, adverb
non·pre·par·a·to·ry, adjective