Prevent Definition
prĭ-vĕnt
prevented, preventing, prevents
verb
prevented, preventing, prevents
To act in anticipation of (an event or a fixed time)
Webster's New World
To anticipate (a need, objection, etc.)
Webster's New World
To interpose an obstacle.
Webster's New World
To keep from happening; make impossible by prior action; hinder.
Webster's New World
To stop or keep (from doing something)
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Origin of Prevent
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From Middle English preventen (“anticipate"), from Latin praeventus, perfect passive participle of praeveniō (“anticipate"), from prae (“before") + veniō (“come").
From Wiktionary
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Middle English preventen to anticipate from Latin praevenīre praevent- prae- pre- venīre to come gwā- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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