Definition of: prevent

(pri·vent′) v.t.
1. To keep, from happening, as by previous measures or preparations; preclude; thwart.
2. To keep from doing something; forestall; hinder.
3. Obs. To anticipate; precede. [<L praeventus; pp. of praevenire precede, come before, anticipate <prae- before + venire come]
—pre·vent′a·ble or pre·vent′i·ble adjective
—pre·vent′a·bil′i·ty or pre·vent′i·bil′i·ty noun
—pre·vent′er noun Synonyms: anticipate, forestall. The original sense of prevent, to go or come before, act in advance of, now practically obsolete, was still in good use when the authorized version of the Bible was made, as appears in such passages as “Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness” (that is, by sending the blessings before the desire is formulated or expressed), Ps. xxi 3. Anticipate is now the only single word usable in this sense; to forestall is to take or act in advance in one's own behalf and to the prejudice or hindrance of another. But to anticipate is very frequently used in the favorable sense; as, his thoughtful kindness anticipated my wish (that is, met the wish before it was expressed); or one anticipates a payment (by making it before the time). For the present use of prevent, see synonyms for HINDER¹, PRECLUDE, PROHIBIT.