The act or operation of preparing or fitting for a particular purpose, use, service or condition; as the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign; the preparation of a nation for war; the preparation of men for future happiness. Preparation is intended to prevent evil or secure good.

Previous measures of adaptation. I will show what preparations there were in nature for this dissolution.

Ceremonious introduction.

That which is prepared, made or compounded for a particular purpose. I wish the chimists had been more sparing, who magnify their preparations.

The state of being prepared or in readiness; as a nation in good preparation for attack or defense.

Accomplishment; qualification.

In pharmacy, any medicinal substance fitted for the use of the patient.

In anatomy, the parts of animal bodies prepared and preserved for anatomical uses. Preparation of dissonances, in music, is their disposition in harmony in such a manner that by something congenial in what precedes, they may be rendered less harsh to the ear than they would be without such preparation. Preparation of medicines, the process of fitting any substance for use in the art of healing.