different between elementary vs preparatory

English

Alternative forms

• elementar (obsolete)

Etymology

From Latin element?rius (“elementary”), from elementum (“one of the four elements of antiquity; fundamentals”) + -?rius (adjective-forming suffix). Cognate with French élémentaire.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /(?)?l???m?nt(?)??/
• (General American) enPR: ?l'?-m?n?t?-r?, -tr?, IPA^(key): /??l???m?nt(?)?i/
• Rhymes: -?nt??i, -?nt?i
• Hyphenation: el?e?men?ta?ry

Adjective

elementary (comparative more elementary, superlative most elementary)

1. Relating to the basic, essential or fundamental part of something.
2. Relating to an elementary school.
3. (physics) Relating to a subatomic particle.
4. (archaic) Sublunary; not celestial; belonging to the sublunary sphere, to which the four classical elements (earth, air, fire and water) were confined; composed of or pertaining to these four elements.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

elementary (plural elementaries)

1. An elementary school
2. (mythology, mysticism) A supernatural being which is associated with the elements.

References

• John A. Simpson and Edward S. C. Weiner, editors (1989) , “elementary”, in The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, ?ISBN

English

Etymology

From Middle English preparatori, from Late Latin praeparatorius; surface analysis prepare +? -atory

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p??p(?)??t??i/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p??p(?)??t(?)?i/

Adjective

preparatory (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to preparation, having the purpose of making something or someone ready, preparative.

   I will conduct some preparatory research before choosing the new restaurant's location.

Derived terms

• preparatory school
• preparatorily

Translations