The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a
particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or
adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of
wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.

The state of being prepared or made ready;
preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for
war.

That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a
certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination.
Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything
treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. © Something
prepared for use in cookery.

An army or fleet.

The holding over of a note from one chord into the
next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the
chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the
preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See
Suspension.

Accomplishment; qualification.