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preparative

noun
pre·​par·​a·​tive | \ pri-ˈper-ə-tiv How to pronounce preparative (audio) , pri-ˈpa-rə-tiv\

Definition of preparative

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: something that prepares the way for or serves as a preliminary to something else : preparation

preparative

adjective

Definition of preparative (Entry 2 of 2)

: preparatory
Other Words from preparative Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about preparative

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Other Words from preparative

Adjective

preparatively adverb

Examples of preparative in a Sentence

Adjective

 preparative warning that the injection was going to cause a modest amount of pain

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Using photography as a preparative tool as well as an art form later in life reveals Degas to have been a more progressive artist that was willing to experiment. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "New exhibit takes an intimate look at Edgar Degas and his circle," 25 July 2019 Gordon explains that the body has quite a bit of pre-labor preparative work to do. — Tanya Ward Goodman, Orange County Register, "Past your due date? Some ideas to get that baby moving.," 5 June 2017

First Known Use of preparative

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for preparative

Noun

Middle English preparatif, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prēparātīvus, derivative of prēparātīvus, adjective, "preparatory," from Latin praeparātus, past participle of praeparāre "to prepare" + -īvus -ive

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French preparatif, borrowed from Medieval Latin prēparātīvus — more at preparative entry 1

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