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avoid

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The definition of avoid is to keep something from coming near you, affecting you, or from happening to you.

(verb)

If during rush hour you take another route so that you will not be in heavy traffic, then that is an example of an action taken to avoid.

See avoid in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make void; annul, invalidate, or quash (a plea, etc. in law)
to keep away from; evade; shun: to avoid crowds
to keep from happening: to avoid breakage
Obsolete to void; empty
Obsolete to go away from; leave

Origin: ME avoiden < Anglo-Fr avoider < OFr esvuidier, to empty < es- (< L ex-), out + vuidier: see void

Related Forms:

avoidable adjective
avoidably adverb

See avoid in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb a·void·ed, a·void·ing, a·voids

To stay clear of; shun. See Synonyms at escape.
To keep from happening: avoid illness with rest and a balanced diet.
Law To annul or make void; invalidate.
Obsolete To void or expel.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English avoiden

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman avoider, to empty out

Origin: , variant of Old French esvuidier

Origin: : es-, out (from Latin ex-; see ex-)

Origin: + vuidier, to empty (from voide, empty; see void)

Related Forms:

a·voidˈa·ble adjective

a·voidˈa·bly adverb

a·voidˈer noun

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