Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Definition of prepare - 6 dictionary results

pre⋅pare

[pri-pair] verb, -pared, -par⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to put in proper condition or readiness: to prepare a patient for surgery.
2. to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling, cooking, etc.
3. to manufacture, compound, or compose: to prepare a cough syrup.
4. Music. to lead up to (a discord, an embellishment, etc.) by some preliminary tone or tones.
–verb (used without object)
5. to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready: to prepare for war.

Origin:
1520–30; < L praeparāre to make ready beforehand, equiv. to prae- pre- + parāre to set, get ready (akin to parent )


pre⋅par⋅er, noun


1. provide, arrange, order. Prepare, contrive, devise imply planning for and making ready for something expected or thought possible. To prepare is to make ready beforehand for some approaching event, need, and the like: to prepare a room, a speech. Contrive and devise emphasize the exercise of ingenuity and inventiveness. The first word suggests a shrewdness that borders on trickery, but this is absent from devise: to contrive a means of escape; to devise a time-saving method. 3. make.


1. disorganize.
pre·pare   (prĭ-pâr')   
v.   pre·pared, pre·par·ing, pre·pares

v.   tr.
  1. To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, as for an event or occasion: The teacher prepared the students for the exams.
  2. To put together or make by combining various elements or ingredients; manufacture or compound: prepared a meal; prepared the lecture.
  3. To fit out; equip: prepared the ship for an arctic expedition.
  4. Music To lead up to and soften (a dissonance or its impact) by means of preparation.
v.   intr.
  1. To make things or oneself ready.
  2. To study or complete a course of study at a preparatory school.

[Middle English preparen, from Old French preparer, from Latin praeparāre : prae-, pre- + parāre, prepare, equip; see perə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
pre·par'ed·ly (-pâr'ĭd-lē) adv., pre·par'er n.

Prepare

Pre*pare"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepare?; p. pr. & vb. n. Preparing.] [F. pr['e]parer, L. praeparare; prae before + parare to make ready. See Pare.]

1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.

Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light. --Dryden.

2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment. --Milton.

That they may prepare a city for habitation. --Ps. cvii. 36

Syn: To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form; make; make; ready.

Prepare

Pre*pare"\, v. i. 1. To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to prepare for a hostile invasion. "Bid them prepare for dinner." --Shak.

2. To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.

Prepare

Pre*pare"\, n. Preparation. [Obs.] --Shak.
Language Translation for : prepare
Spanish: preparar,
German: vorbereiten,
Japanese: 準備する

Main Entry: pre·pare
Pronunciation: pri-'pa(&)r, -'pe(&)r
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: pre·pared;pre·par·ing
1 : to make ready beforehand <prepare a patient for surgery>
2 : to put together : COMPOUND <prepared a vaccine from live virus> <prepared the doctor's prescription>
Search another word or see prepare on Thesaurus | Reference