early 15c., from Late Latin praeparatorius, from Latin praeparatus (see preparation). Earlier in same sense was preparative (late 14c.). Applied from 1822 to junior schools in which pupils are "prepared" for a higher school.
双语例句
1. She lit the oven, preparatory to putting the pie into it.
她把烤箱加热，准备把馅饼放进去。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Sloan cleared his throat preparatory to speaking.
斯隆清了清嗓子，准备讲话。
来自柯林斯例句
3. This was where we were to have our preparatory language courses.
