prevent
prevent definition
pre·vent (prē vent′, pri-)
transitive verb
- Obsolete
- to act in anticipation of (an event or a fixed time)
- to anticipate (a need, objection, etc.)
- to precede
- to stop or keep (from doing something)
- to keep from happening; make impossible by prior action; hinder
Etymology: ME preventen < L praeventus, pp. of praevenire, to anticipate < prae-, before (see pre-) + venire, to come
intransitive verb
to interpose an obstacle
Related Forms:
- preventable pre·vent′·able adjective or preventible pre·vent′·ible
- preventer pre·vent′er noun
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