forestall

To forestall is defined as to prevent something from happening, or to prevent someone from doing something.

(verb)

When a snowstorm stops a wedding from happening, this is an example of a time when it forestalls the wedding.

See forestall in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to prevent or hinder by doing something ahead of time
to act in advance of; get ahead of; anticipate
to interfere with the trading in (a market) by buying up goods in advance, getting sellers to raise prices, etc.
Obsolete
1. to intercept
2. to obstruct by force

Origin: ME forestallen < forestal, ambush < OE foresteall: see fore & stall

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See forestall in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb fore·stalled, fore·stall·ing, fore·stalls

To delay, hinder, or prevent by taking precautionary measures beforehand. See Synonyms at prevent.
To deal with or think of beforehand; anticipate.
To prevent or hinder normal sales in (a market) by buying up merchandise, discouraging persons from bringing their goods to market, or encouraging an increase in prices in goods already on sale.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English forestallen, to waylay and rob

Origin: , from forestal, highway robbery, ambush

Origin: , from Old English foresteall

Origin: : fore-, fore-

Origin: + steall, position; see stel- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: