prevent

verb

1. (transitive)To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).

   “I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.”

   “Barriers have been put up to prevent more people (from) entering the stadium.”

   “Scotland must now hope Georgia produce a huge upset and beat Argentina by at least eight points in Sunday's final Pool B match to prevent them failing to make the last eight for the first time in World Cup history.”

2. (archaic, intransitive)To take preventative measures.

   “I think you must be mad, and she shall not have a glimpse of it while I'm here to prevent!”

3. (obsolete, transitive)To come before; to precede.

   “We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.”

   “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

   “Then had I come, preventing Sheba's Queen, / To ſee the comelieſt of the Sons of Men; […]”

4. (obsolete, transitive)To outdo, surpass.

   “With that he put his spurres vnto his steed, / With speare in rest, and toward him did fare, / Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.”

5. (obsolete, transitive)To be beforehand with; to anticipate.

   “their ready guilt preventing thy commands”