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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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Preparatio(u)n, -acio(u)n, n. Also: preper-, prepor-, præpar-, and -atio(u)ne, -acioune. [ME and e.m.E. preparacion (Gower), -ation (1530), F. préparation (13th–14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. præparātiōn- f. præparāre Prepare v.]

1. The action of preparing, in the usual senses of Prepare v. 1. b. plur. Things done to bring about a state of readiness.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I 127/23.
The angell … schew the gret dignite … and preparacioune of this lady anens the concepcioune of the sone of God 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 93.
The preparatioun Maid be the thre estaitis of Scotland 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 74.
To the preparacion of Cristis kyngdome wythin this realme 1562 Aberd. B. Rec. I 339.
Twa thousand merkis to be vpliftit for the preparatioun [v.r. (Mill) prepor-] and decoration of the toun a1578 Pitsc. I 342/24.
King Harie of Ingland had maid gret preparatioun … for thair royall estait of the King of Scotlandis cuming a1599 Rollock Wks. I 442.
Fy on the warkis of preparation, can ane wod man prepair him self for grace? 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 122/3.
Ye man be cairfull … in youre præparation for it [marriage] 1603 Southesk MSS. 13 (see Not adv. 2 a (1)).(2) 1584 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 423.
Quhen the fatall horse wes in preparatiounb. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 297.
What profit … have the enemies of God in all these great assaults, longsome preparations [etc.]

2. pl. Things prepared for an action; equipment, armaments.1583–4 Reg. Privy C. III 639.
How far his hienes munitioun houssis, ordinance, cairtis and utheris preparationis of weir ar demountit and decayit 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 32.
The first gree of preparation stands in contrition 1592 Mining Rec. 73.
Quhat preparatoreis and preparationis he broch foir the samyn 1613 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 14 b (31 March).
Ane publict fast … for preparatioun to the tabill of the Lord 1643 Sc. Ant. XIII 32.
The sermon of preparation

3. Applied in post-Reformation times to spiritual preparation for a communion service, ? also for a fast.Cf. e.m.E. preparation ‘the acts or observances preliminary to the celebration of the Jewish sabbath’ (1557), ‘the day before the sabbath or other festival’ (1611), rendering late L. parascēvē Parasceve n., etc.1655 Cramond Kirk S. 29 April.
Dilated for his absence from the sermone of preparatioun before the fast 1659 A. Hay Diary 80.
I did revieu all my life since the last communion … in order to my preparation for the communion at Quodq[uha]n 1659 Ib. 81.
After sermons I … went about my prepera[ti]oun and my weeklie search 1670 Bonckle Kirk S. 27.
Intimation was maid of the communion … and the peopel exorted to a day's preparation

b. attrib. and comb.Preparation day (night), one of the days (nights) preceding the communion service when a special service of preparation was held. Preparation sermon, a sermon preached at such a service.1628 Dundonald Par. Rec. 256.
For drinking all nycht the first preparatioune daye, and the morne thairafter, being the first communion Sabbath 1679 Ch. in Orkney 23.
Of colection the preparatione day 3 s. —1628 Dundonald Par. Rec. 256.
The first preparatioune nyght before the communion —1650 Lamont Diary 17.
The communion was giuen att the church of Largo, … Mr. Harie Rymmour, … did preach the preparation sermon 1659 A. Hay Diary 80.
This morning … I went to hear the preparation sermons 1673 Bonckle Kirk S. 41.
The peopell wer … exorted … to atende the preparatione sermone upon Satterday be twa houres 1678 Wodrow Hist. (1828) II 483.

c. = Preparation day (or night) and Preparation sermon: see b above.1628 Dundonald Par. Rec. 257.
William Clarke … challenged for drinking … all nyght the first preparatioun before the communion 1651 Lamont Diary 31.
The communion was giuen att the church of Largo. Mr. Ja. Magill minister ther, did preach the preparation