[pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh-] 
| 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. |
| 4. | preparatory to, in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off. |
əˌtɔr