- Main Entry:
- pre·vent
- Pronunciation:
-
\pri-ˈvent\
- Function:
- verb
- Etymology:
- Middle English, to anticipate, from Latin praeventus, past participle of praevenire to come before, anticipate, forestall, from prae- + venire to come — more at come
- Date:
- 15th century
transitive verb1archaic a: to be in readiness for (as an occasion) b: to meet or satisfy in advance c: to act ahead of d: to go or arrive before2: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding3: to keep from happening or existing <steps to prevent war>4: to hold or keep back : hinder, stop —often used with fromintransitive verb: to interpose an obstacle
—
pre·vent·abil·i·ty \-ˌven-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun —
pre·vent·able also pre·vent·ible \-ˈven-tə-bəl\ adjective — pre·vent·er noun
synonyms prevent,
anticipate,
forestall mean to deal with beforehand.
prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable
<measures taken to prevent leaks>.
anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first
<anticipated the question by making a statement>.
forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course
<hoped to forestall the sale>.
