preparatory
[pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh-]
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- preparatory to, in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off.
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Origin of preparatory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for preparatory
Contemporary Examples
Moreover, a preparatory nap counteracts the effects of sleep deprivation better than a nap taken after the missed sleep.
It is exhibited at the Tate along with the mass of preparatory material he used to create it.
After preparatory school in Illinois, Hay went to Brown University, where he amused men and charmed women.
Two preparatory drawings—by Lorenzo Monaco and Raphael—are shown next to the relevant panel painting.
Historical Examples
In these last respects it is a preparatory study for "Othello."
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
The Preparatory Schools of Ruffianism are similarly borne with.
The Uncommercial TravellerCharles Dickens
This preparatory work occupied the whole of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
The Field of IceJules Verne
Mr. Babbitt waved his fists again, preparatory to another outburst.
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
As a preparatory tonic I'd recommend strawberries and cream.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
preparatory
- serving to prepare
- introductory or preliminary
- occupied in preparation
- preparatory to as a preparation to; beforea drink preparatory to eating
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for preparatory
adj.
early 15c., from Late Latin praeparatorius, from Latin praeparatus (see preparation). Earlier in same sense was preparative (late 14c.). Applied from 1822 to junior schools in which pupils are "prepared" for a higher school.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper