■ noun
1》 the action or process of preparing or being prepared.
↘(usu. ~s ) something done to get ready for an event or undertaking.
2》 a specially made up substance, especially a medicine or food.
3》 Music the sounding of the discordant note in a chord in the preceding chord where it is not discordant, lessening the effect of the discord.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. praeparatio(n-) , from praeparare (see prepare ).