prevent

verb

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

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

   “I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.”

   “Barriers have been put up to prevent more people (from) entering the stadium.”

2. To take preventative measures.

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

3. To come before; to precede.

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

   “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

4. To outdo, surpass.

   “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.”

5. To be beforehand with; to anticipate.

   “their ready guilt preventing thy commands”