Pre*par"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. prÈparatif.] Tending to prepare or make
ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting;
preparatory.
Laborious quest of knowledge preparative to this work.
South.
Pre*par"a*tive, n.
1. That which has the power of preparing, or previously fitting for a
purpose; that which prepares. "A preparative unto sermons." Hooker.
2. That which is done in the way of preparation. "Necessary
preparatives for our voyage." Dryden.
Pre*par"a*tive*ly, adv. By way of preparation.
Pre*par"a*tor (?), n. [L. praeparator.] One who prepares beforehand, as
subjects for dissection, specimens for preservation in collections,
etc. Agassiz.
Pre*par"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. praeparatorius: cf. F. prÈparatoire.]
Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation;
antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as,
a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.
Pre*pare" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepare&?; (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Preparing.] [F. prÈparer, 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.