From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Ready \Read"y\ (r[e^]d"[y^]), adjective [Compar. {Readier} (r[e^]d"[i^]*[~e]r); 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, though 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. '''T is 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; skillful; handy; expert; facile; easy; opportune; fitted; prepared; disposed; willing; free; cheerful. See {Prompt}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
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}]
noun
1: poised for action; "their guns were at the ready"
verb
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}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
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