Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ready \Read"y\, a. [Compar. {Readier}; superl. {Readiest}.] [AS.
   r[=ae]de; akin to D. gereed, bereid, G. bereit, Goth.
   gar['a]ids fixed, arranged, and possibly to E. ride, as
   meaning originally, prepared for riding. Cf. {Array}, 1st
   {Curry}.]
   1. Prepared for what one is about to do or experience;
      equipped or supplied with what is needed for some act or
      event; prepared for immediate movement or action; as, the
      troops are ready to march; ready for the journey. ``When
      she redy was.'' --Chaucer.

   2. Fitted or arranged for immediate use; causing no delay for
      lack of being prepared or furnished. ``Dinner was ready.''
      --Fielding.

            My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things
            are ready: come unto the marriage.    --Matt. xxii.
                                                  4.

   3. Prepared in mind or disposition; not reluctant; willing;
      free; inclined; disposed.

            I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at
            Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. --Acts
                                                  xxi. 13.

            If need be, I am ready to forego And quit. --Milton.

   4. Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of
      any kind; dexterous; prompt; easy; expert; as, a ready
      apprehension; ready wit; a ready writer or workman.
      ``Ready in devising expedients.'' --Macaulay.

            Gurth, whose temper was ready, through surly. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.

   5. Offering itself at once; at hand; opportune; convenient;
      near; easy. ``The readiest way.'' --Milton.

            A sapling pine he wrenched from out the ground, The
            readiest weapon that his fury found.  --Dryden.

   6. On the point; about; on the brink; near; -- with a
      following infinitive.

            My heart is ready to crack.           --Shak.

   7. (Mil.) A word of command, or a position, in the manual of
      arms, at which the piece is cocked and held in position to
      execute promptly the next command, which is, aim.

   {All ready}, ready in every particular; wholly equipped or
      prepared. ``[I] am all redy at your hest.'' --Chaucer.

   {Ready money}, means of immediate payment; cash. ``'Tis all
      the ready money fate can give.'' --Cowley.

   {Ready reckoner}, a book of tables for facilitating
      computations, as of interest, prices, etc.

   {To make ready}, to make preparation; to get in readiness.

   Syn: Prompt; expeditious; speedy; unhesitating; dexterous;
        apt; skilful; handy; expert; facile; easy; opportune;
        fitted; prepared; disposed; willing; free; cheerful. See
        {Prompt}.

Ready \Read"y\, adv.
   In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need
   no delay.

         We ourselves will go ready armed.        --Num. xxxii.
                                                  17.

Ready \Read"y\, n.
   Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was supplied
   with the ready. [Slang]

         Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law,
         or to clear old debts.                   --Arbuthnot.

Ready \Read"y\, v. t.
   To dispose in order. [Obs.] --Heywood.

Source : WordNet®

ready
     v 1: 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}, {make}, {prepare}]
     2: 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}, {prepare},
         {set up}, {gear up}, {set}]
     [also: {readiest}, {readier}]

ready
     adj 1: completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or
            use or progress; "get ready"; "she is ready to
            resign"; "the bridge is ready to collapse"; "I am
            ready to work"; "ready for action"; "ready for use";
            "the soup will be ready in a minute"; "ready to learn
            to read" [ant: {unready}]
     2: (of especially money) immediately available; "he seems to
        have ample ready money"; "a ready source of cash" [syn: {ready(a)}]
     3: mentally disposed; "he was ready to believe her"
     4: brought into readiness; "dinner is ready"
     5: apprehending and responding with speed and sensitivity; "a
        quick mind"; "a ready wit" [syn: {quick}]
     [also: {readiest}, {readier}]

ready
     n : poised for action; "their guns were at the ready"
     [also: {readiest}, {readier}]