Definition of: preclude

(pri·kld′) v.t. ·clud·ed, ·clud·ing
1. To render impossible or ineffectual by antecedent action; prevent.
2. To shut out; exclude. [<L praecludere <prae- before + cludere shut]
—pre·clu′sion (-kl′zhən) noun
—pre·clu′sive (-kl′siv) adjective
—pre·clu′sive·ly adverb Synonyms: obviate, prevent. To obviate is to prevent by interception and making unnecessary; to preclude, to close or shut in advance, is to prevent by anticipation or by logical necessity; walls and bars precluded the possibility of escape; a supposition is precluded; a necessity or difficulty is obviated. Compare PROHIBIT, SHUT.