prepare

pre|pare [ prı`per ] verb ***

1. ) transitive to make something ready for use:

I was asked to prepare a report for our next meeting.

prepare something for someone/something: Wendy helped Karen prepare the room for their guests.

a ) to make food ready to be cooked or eaten, for example by cleaning or cutting it:

Wash your hands before eating or preparing food.

prepare something for someone: Bob was preparing breakfast for everyone.

prepare someone something: The ship's chef prepared us a light lunch.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to make plans for a future event so that you will be ready for it:

prepare for: We need to prepare for the annual surge of Christmas shoppers.

prepare something for someone/something: We're preparing a special reception for him when he returns.

prepare to do something: Medical teams are preparing to leave for Mombasa to treat the survivors.

3. ) intransitive or transitive to make yourself or someone else ready and able to deal with a future event:

The early introduction of the bill gives state governments time to prepare themselves.

We were all working hard to prepare for the wedding.

prepare (yourself) for something: I think you should prepare yourself for a shock.

prepare someone for something: This course prepares graduates for management careers in the tourist industry.

prepare (yourself) to do something: She knocked twice on the door and prepared herself to meet her new son-in-law.

prepare someone to do something: We aim to cover your basic military training and prepare you to join the Navy team.

4. ) transitive to make a medicine or chemical by mixing substances together:

These remedies are prepared from the flowers of wild plants, bushes, and trees.

prepare the way/ground for something/someone

to do things that make it possible or easier for something to happen or for someone to do something:

Her research prepared the way for later advances in cancer treatment.