[pre.pare] vb pre.pared ; pre.par.ing [ME, fr. MF preparer, fr. L praeparare, fr. prae- pre- + parare to procure, prepare--more at pare] vt (15c) 1 a: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity "~ food for dinner" b: to put in a proper state of mind "is prepared to listen"
2: to work out the details of: plan in advance "preparing strategy for the coming campaign" 3 a: to put together: compound "~ a prescription" b: to put into written form "~ a report" ~ vi: to get ready "preparing for a career" -- pre.par.er n