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Prevent

//pɹɪˈvɛnt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something). transitive

    "I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay."

  2. 2
    stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state wordnet
  3. 3
    To take preventative measures. archaic, intransitive

    "I think you must be mad, and she shall not have a glimpse of it while I'm here to prevent!"

  4. 4
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible wordnet
  5. 5
    To come before; to precede. obsolete, transitive

    "We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To outdo, surpass. obsolete, transitive

    "With that he put his spurres vnto his steed, / With speare in rest, and toward him did fare, / Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed."

  2. 7
    To be beforehand with; to anticipate. obsolete, transitive

    "their ready guilt preventing thy commands"

Etymology

From Middle English preventen (“anticipate”), from Latin praeventus, perfect passive participle of praeveniō (“I anticipate”), from prae (“before”) + veniō (“I come”).

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