adj. & adv.
--adj. (often foll. by to) serving to prepare; introductory.
--adv. (often foll. by to) in a preparatory manner (was packing preparatory to departure).
Phrases and idioms:
preparatory school a usu. private school preparing pupils for a higher school or US for college or university.
Derivatives:
preparatorily adv.
Etymology: ME f. LL praeparatorius (as PREPARE)