prepare

present singular third person prepares · participle present preparing · participle past prepared · past prepared · first person past singular prepared · archaic present second person singular preparest · past second person singular prepared · archaic past second person singular preparedst · present singular third person prepares · archaic present singular third person prepareth · past singular third person prepared · past plural prepared · past subjunctive prepared · participle present preparing · participle past prepared

1. transitiveTo make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip; to forearm.

   We prepared the spacecraft for takeoff.

   2 more examples

   that they may prepare a city for habitation

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 107:36

   our souls, not yet prepared for upper light

   1700, [John] Dryden, “The Flower and the Leaf: Or, The Lady in the Arbour. A Vision.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

2. transitiveTo make ready for eating or drinking; to cook.

   We prepared a fish for dinner.

3. intransitiveTo make oneself ready; to get ready, make preparation.

   We prepared for a bumpy ride.

   2 more examples

   As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   Tourists visited a memorial hall adorned by a slogan in the handwriting of Chiang Kai-shek, Taiwan's divisive former nationalist leader: "Stay alert and prepare for battle."

   2023 April 10, “Taiwan's frontline islanders resigned in face of Chinese military might”, in France 24, archived from the original on 10 Apr 2023

   Synonyms: get, get ready

4. transitiveTo produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.

   She prepared a meal from what was left in the cupboards.

1. obsoletepreparation

   Go levy men, and make prepare for war;

   c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], line 130