~ 1
■ noun informal
1》 Brit. (especially in a private school) school work done outside lessons.
↘a period set aside for this.
2》 N. Amer. a student in a ~aratory school.
3》 [as modifier ] relating to ~aratory education.
Origin
C19: abbrev. of ~aration or ~aratory .
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~ 2 N. Amer.
informal
■ verb ( ~s , ~ping , ~ped ) ~are; make ready.
■ noun ~aration.
Origin
1920s: abbrev.