Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < L
praeventus (ptp. of
praevenīre to anticipate), equiv. to
prae- pre- +
ven- (s. of
venīre to
come ) +
-tus ptp. suffix
Related forms: pre⋅vent⋅a⋅ble, pre⋅vent⋅i⋅ble, adjective
pre⋅vent⋅a⋅bil⋅ty, noun
pre⋅vent⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
1. obstruct, forestall, preclude, obviate, thwart. Prevent, hamper, hinder, impede refer to different degrees of stoppage of action or progress. To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible: to prevent the sending of a message. To hamper is to clog or entangle or put an embarrassing restraint upon: to hamper preparations for a trip. To hinder is to keep back by delaying or stopping progress or action: to hinder the progress of an expedition. To impede is to make difficult the movement or progress of anything by interfering with its proper functioning: to impede a discussion by demanding repeated explanations.
Antonyms:
1. help, assist.
[pri-vent] 