Etymologically
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praeparo

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈprae̯.pa.roː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɛː.pa.ro][1]

Forms

praeparō (present infinitive praeparāre, perfect active praeparāvī, supine praeparātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from prae- (“before”) and parō “to prepare”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Cicero, of providing in advance.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to furnish beforehand, provide in readiness, as Cicero's preparing for what seems imminent, to plan in advance, with ex praeparātō “by arrangement”, as in Livy, and to prepare a speech or case.[2][5] It meant to put in readiness, as Caesar's place prepared long before, and to prepare someone mentally.[2][6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to prepare, make ready, provide.[7] It survives in French préparer, Italian preparare and Spanish preparar.[1] English prepare came in the mid-15th century, and English preparation from praeparātiō.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of preparing.[2][4]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of a place prepared.[6][4]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses ex praeparātō.[2][4]
  • mid-15th century – English prepare is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To provide beforehand.[2]
  2. To plan in advance, ex praeparātō, by arrangement.[2]
  3. To prepare, get up (a speech).[2]
  4. To make ready; to prepare (mentally).[2]

Word family

  • impraeparatus
  • praeparātiō
  • praeparator
  • praeparātōrius
  • praeparatura
  • praeparātus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson