Pre*vent" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prevented; p. pr. & vb. n. Preventing.] [L. praevenire, praeventum; prae before + venire to come. See Come.]

1.

To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct.

[Obs.]

We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1 Thess. iv. 15.

We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us. Bk. of Common Prayer.

Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen. Prior.

2.

To be beforehand with; to anticipate.

[Obs.]

Their ready guilt preventing thy commands. Pope.

3.

To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart.

"This vile purpose to prevent."

Shak.

Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.


Pre*vent", v. i.

To come before the usual time.

[Obs.]

Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early. Bacon.

 

© Webster 1913.

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