verb (used with object), ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing.
to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.
Origin: 1590–1600; < Latinobviātus, past participle of obviāre to act contrary to, derivative of obvius; see obvious, -ate1
[C16: from Late Latin obviātus prevented, past participle of obviāre; see obvious]
usage Only things that have not yet occurred can be obviated. For example, one can obviate a possible future difficulty, but not one that already exists
1598, "to meet and do away with," from L.L. obviatus, pp. of obviare "act contrary to, go against," from L. obvius "that is in the way, that moves against" (see obvious).