Readiest

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Showing the highest degree of readiness or preparedness for a circumstance or duty; manifesting the greatest desire or enthusiasm to engage in a specific endeavor; representing the fastest capability or response time in taking action or making a decision
2. Being the most willing or prepared to act in a given situation
3. Displaying the greatest eagerness or promptness to do something

Etymology: "Readiest" is the superlative of "ready," so it is the form of that adjective used to mark the highest degree of readiness. "Ready" itself goes back to Old English "rǣde," meaning prepared or quick, and it is related to "rǣdan," to advise or counsel, which is also the root of "read" in its old sense of interpreting or making sense of something. The connection runs through the idea of getting things into order before acting. The adjective built its sense of quick, willing eagerness on that base of being prepared. Its superlative "readiest" follows the regular pattern of adding "-est" to a short adjective ending in a consonant after a short vowel, which doubles the final consonant only in some cases, so the spelling here keeps the single "-y" changed to "-i" before the suffix.

Synonyms: most prepared, most willing

Antonyms: unprepared, reluctant