Adjective

(-)

connected; touching; abutting

adjacent; neighbouring/neighboring

* 1730–1774 , , Introductory to Switzerland

Though poor the peasant’s hut, his feasts though small,

He sees his little lot the lot of all;

Sees no contiguous palace rear its head

To shame the meanness of his humble shed;

* 1835 , William Scoresby, Memorials of the Sea (page 59)

the usual quietness of the day, with us, was broken in upon by the shout of success from the pursuing boats, followed by vehement respondings from the contiguous ship.

connecting without a break

The forty-eight contiguous states.

* 1886 , Frank Hamilton Cushing, A Study of Pueblo Pottery as Illustrative of Zuñi Culture Growth :

Supposing three such houses to be contiguous to a central one, each separated from the latter by a straight wall.

Adjective

(er)

Prepared for immediate action or use.

:

*(John Milton) (1608-1674)

*:If need be, I am ready to forego / And quit.

*(Henry Fielding) (1707-1754)

*:Dinner was ready .

Inclined; apt to happen.

Liable at any moment.

:

*(William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)

*:My heart is ready to crack.

Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of any kind; dexterous; prompt; easy; expert.

:

*Sir (Walter Scott) (1771-1832)

*:whose temper was ready , through surly

* (1800-1859)

*:ready in devising expedients

*

*:Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-10, volume=408, issue=8848, magazine=(The Economist), author=Lexington

, title= Keeping the mighty honest , passage=The [Washington] Post's proprietor through those turbulent [Watergate] days, Katharine Graham, held a double place in Washington’s hierarchy: at once regal Georgetown hostess and scrappy newshound, ready to hold the establishment to account.}}

Offering itself at once; at hand; opportune; convenient.

*(John Milton) (1608-1674)

*:the readiest way

*(John Dryden) (1631-1700)

*:A sapling pine he wrenched from out the ground, / The readiest weapon that his fury found.