preclude

Preclude is defined as to prevent something from happening or to prevent someone from doing something.

(verb)

An example of preclude is when you take someone's keys away so that they cannot drive.

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See preclude in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb precluded, precluding

to make impossible, esp. in advance; shut out; prevent

Origin: L praecludere, to shut off < prae-, before (see pre-) + claudere, to close

Related Forms:

See preclude in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb pre·clud·ed, pre·clud·ing, pre·cludes
  1. To make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent. See Synonyms at prevent.
  2. To exclude or prevent (someone) from a given condition or activity: Modesty precludes me from accepting the honor.

Origin:

Origin: Latin praeclūdere

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + claudere, to close

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Related Forms:

  • pre·cluˈsion (-klo͞oˈzhən) noun
  • pre·cluˈsive (-klo͞oˈsĭv, -zĭv) adjective
  • pre·cluˈsive·ly adverb

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