dictionary definitions for "ready"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  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"
      3: mentally disposed; "he was ready to believe her"
      4: made suitable and available for immediate use; "dinner is
         ready"
      5: apprehending and responding with speed and sensitivity; "a
         quick mind"; "a ready wit" [syn: quick, ready]
      n 1: poised for action; "their guns were at the 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, ready, 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}, ready, gear up, set]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ready \Read"y\ (r[e^]d"[y^]), adv.
     In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need
     no delay.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           We ourselves will go ready armed.        --Num. xxxii.
                                                    17.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ready \Read"y\ (r[e^]d"[y^]), a. [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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Fitted or arranged for immediate use; causing no delay for
        lack of being prepared or furnished. "Dinner was ready."
        --Fielding.
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              My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things
              are ready: come unto the marriage.    --Matt. xxii.
                                                    4.
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     3. Prepared in mind or disposition; not reluctant; willing;
        free; inclined; disposed.
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              I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at
              Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. --Acts
                                                    xxi. 13.
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              If need be, I am ready to forego
              And quit.                             --Milton.
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     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Gurth, whose temper was ready, though surly. --Sir
                                                    W. Scott.
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     5. Offering itself at once; at hand; opportune; convenient;
        near; easy. "The readiest way." --Milton.
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              A sapling pine he wrenched from out the ground,
              The readiest weapon that his fury found. --Dryden.
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     6. On the point; about; on the brink; near; -- with a
        following infinitive.
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              My heart is ready to crack.           --Shak.
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     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Prompt; expeditious; speedy; unhesitating; dexterous;
          apt; skillful; handy; expert; facile; easy; opportune;
          fitted; prepared; disposed; willing; free; cheerful. See
          Prompt.
          [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ready \Read"y\, n.
     Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was well
     supplied with the ready. [Slang]
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law,
           or to clear old debts.                   --Arbuthnot.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ready \Read"y\, v. t.
     To dispose in order. [Obs.] --Heywood.
     [1913 Webster]


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