preparative

1 of 2

noun

pre·​par·​a·​tive pri-ˈper-ə-tiv 

pri-ˈpa-rə-tiv

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

preparative

2 of 2

adjective

: preparatory

preparatively adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• beginning
• introductory
• precursory
• prefatory
• prelim
• preliminary
• prelusive
• preparatory
• primary

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

One such approach involves utilizing advanced chromatography techniques like flash chromatography or preparative HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2023

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, 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, 5 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above