prep·a·ra·tion 
(prĕp′ə-rāshən)
(prĕp′ə-rāshən)n.
1. The act or process of preparing.
2. The state of having been made ready beforehand; readiness.
3. often preparations An action done to prepare for something, especially for an event or undertaking: preparations for the opening of the new school.
4. A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.
5. Music
a. The anticipation of a dissonant tone by means of its introduction as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
b. The dissonant tone so anticipated.