preparation

Etymology

From Middle English preparacion, from Middle French preparacion, from Latin praeparatio, praeparationem. Morphologically prepare + -ation

noun

1. (uncountable) The act of preparing or getting ready.
   I went over my notes in preparation for the exam.
2. (uncountable) The state of being prepared; readiness.
3. (countable) That which is prepared.
   1. A substance, especially a remedy, that is prepared.
      The traditional remedy is a bitter preparation made from steamed herbs.
   2. (anatomy) A part of any animal body preserved as a specimen.
   3. (music) Any of the objects placed between the strings of a prepared piano.
4. (Judaism) The day before the Sabbath or other Jewish feast-day.
5. Devotional exercises introducing an office.
6. (music) The previous introduction, as an integral part of a chord, of a note continued into a succeeding dissonance.