prevent

  1. Verb.  (transitive) To stop; to keep (from happening). (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  2. Verb.  (context, intransitive) To take preventative measures. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  3. Verb.  (obsolete, transitive) To come before; to precede. (defdate, 16th-18th c.) .
  4. Verb.  (obsolete, transitive) To outdo, surpass. (defdate, 16th-17th c.) .

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.