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Definition of preclude - 4 dictionary results

pre⋅clude

  [pri-klood]
Use preclude in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -clud⋅ed, -clud⋅ing.
1. to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible: The insufficiency of the evidence precludes a conviction.
2. to exclude or debar from something: His physical disability precludes an athletic career for him.
Origin:
1610–20; < L praeclūdere to shut off, close, equiv. to prae- pre- + -clūdere, comb. form of claudere to shut, close

Related forms:
pre⋅clud⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pre⋅clu⋅sion  [pri-kloo-zhuhn] , noun
pre⋅clu⋅sive  [pri-kloo-siv] , adjective
pre⋅clu⋅sive⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. forestall; eliminate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preclude
pre·clude   (prĭ-klōōd')   
tr.v.   pre·clud·ed, pre·clud·ing, pre·cludes

  1. To make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent. See Synonyms at prevent.

  2. To exclude or prevent (someone) from a given condition or activity: Modesty precludes me from accepting the honor.


[Latin praeclūdere : prae-, pre- + claudere, to close.]
pre·clu'sion (-klōō'zhən) n., pre·clu'sive (-klōō'sĭv, -zĭv) adj., pre·clu'sive·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

preclude 
1618, from L. præcludere "to close, shut off, impede," from L. præ- "before, ahead" + claudere "to shut" (see close (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pre·clude
Pronunciation: pri-'klüd
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: pre·clud·ed; pre·clud·ing
: to prevent or exclude by necessary consequence precludes the creation of common-law marriages in this jurisdiction>: as a : to prevent (a party) from litigating an action or claim esp. by collateral estoppel or res judicata precluded only because they failed to assert…the grounds for recovery they now assert —Roach v. Teamsters Local Union Number 688, 595 Federal Reporter, Second Series 446 (1979)> b : to prevent (a claim or action) from being litigated esp. by collateral estoppel or res judicata precludes claims brought under the Tort Claims Act —National Law Journal> —pre·clu·sion /-'klü-zh&n/ noun —pre·clu·sive /-'klü-siv/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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