prep English · revision 15144

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1862}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /prep/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a clipping of [[preparation]], and in later uses of [[preparatory]] and [[prepare]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The preparation of lessons, schoolwork done outside class: 1862.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Prep school'', American English, is from 1895, short for preparatory school (1828).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A student at such a school or one preparing for college is a prep by 1899.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, to attend a preparatory school, is American, from 1915 in Barnhart and the OED, 1909 in Merriam-Webster.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) To prepare or train someone is from 1927 in Barnhart, 1908 in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) In American horse racing a prep is a race run as preparation for a bigger one (1944).^(OED 1989) Preppy is from 1962.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1862 – preparation of lessons.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1895 – prep school (US).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1899 – a prep student.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1915 – to attend prep school (US).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1927 – to prepare, train.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1962 – preppy.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' Preparation, especially schoolwork done outside lessons; [[homework]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chiefly US)'' A [[preparatory school]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A student at such a school; a [[preppy]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To prepare a patient for a medical examination or operation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make preparations, often with ''for''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(US)'' To attend a preparatory school.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[preparatory|alt=Preparatory]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[preppy]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prepare]]

+ * [[preparation]]

+ * [[preparatory]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis against an infection such as HIV, is a separate acronym.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}