Word Direct Answers

What does "ready" mean?

Ready: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.3. 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.
  2. 3.If need be, I am ready to forego And quit. Milton.
  3. 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, through surly. Sir W. Scott.
  4. 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.
  5. 6.On the point; about; on the brink; near; -- with a following infinitive. My heart is ready to crack. Shak.
  6. 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. "'Tis 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. See Prompt.
  7. 8.In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need no delay. We ourselves will go ready armed. Num. xxxii.
  8. 9.Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was supplied with the ready. [Slang] Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law, or to clear old debts. Arbuthnot.
  9. 10.To dispose in order. [Obs.] Heywood.

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