Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prepare \Pre*pare"\, v. i.
   1. To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to
      prepare for a hostile invasion. ``Bid them prepare for
      dinner.'' --Shak.

   2. To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the
      necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.

Prepare \Pre*pare"\, n.
   Preparation. [Obs.] --Shak.

Prepare \Pre*pare"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prepare?}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Preparing}.] [F. pr['e]parer, L. praeparare; prae
   before + parare to make ready. See {Pare}.]
   1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or
      condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or
      application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a
      lesson.

            Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to
      provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for
      troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an
      entertainment. --Milton.

            That they may prepare a city for habitation. --Ps.
                                                  cvii. 36

   Syn: To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form;
        make; make; ready.

Prepare \Pre*pare"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prepare?}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Preparing}.] [F. pr['e]parer, L. praeparare; prae
   before + parare to make ready. See {Pare}.]
   1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or
      condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or
      application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a
      lesson.

            Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to
      provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for
      troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an
      entertainment. --Milton.

            That they may prepare a city for habitation. --Ps.
                                                  cvii. 36

   Syn: To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form;
        make; make; ready.

Source : WordNet®

prepare
     v 1: make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular
          purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children
          ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to
          leave town after I paid the hotel bill" [syn: {fix}, {set
          up}, {ready}, {gear up}, {set}]
     2: prepare for eating by applying heat; "Cook me dinner,
        please"; "can you make me an omelette?"; "fix breakfast
        for the guests, please" [syn: {cook}, {fix}, {ready}, {make}]
     3: to prepare verbally, either for written or spoken delivery;
        "prepare a report"; "prepare a speech"
     4: arrange by systematic planning and united effort; "machinate
        a plot"; "organize a strike"; "devise a plan to take over
        the director's office" [syn: {organize}, {organise}, {devise},
         {get up}, {machinate}]
     5: prepare (someone) for a future role or function; "He is
        grooming his son to become his successor"; "The prince was
        prepared to become King one day"; "They trained him to be
        a warrior" [syn: {groom}, {train}]
     6: create by training and teaching; "The old master is training
        world-class violinists"; "we develop the leaders for the
        future" [syn: {train}, {develop}, {educate}]
     7: lead up to and soften by sounding the dissonant note in it
        as a consonant note in the preceding chord; "prepare the
        discord in bar 139"
     8: undergo training or instruction in preparation for a
        particular role, function, or profession; "She is training
        to be a teacher"; "He trained as a legal aid" [syn: {train}]