verb, -pared, -par⋅ing.| 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. |
| 5. | to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready: to prepare for war. |
