pre|vent´er

pre|vent «prih VEHNT», transitive verb.

1. to stop or keep (from): »

Illness prevented him from doing his work.

2. to keep from happening: »

Rain prevented the game.

3. Archaic. to come before; go before; do before.

–v.i.

to hinder: »

I will meet you at six if nothing prevents.

╂[< Latin praeventus, past participle of praevenīre < prae- before + venīre to come]

–pre|vent´er, noun.

Synonym Study transitive verb. 1, 2 intransitive verb. Prevent, hinder, impede mean to get in the way of action or progress. Prevent means to keep a person or thing from doing something or making progress, acting or setting up an obstacle to stop him or it: »

Business prevented my going.

Hinder means to hold back, so that making, starting, going ahead, or finishing is late, difficult, or impossible: »

The wrong food hinders growth.

Impede means to slow up movement and progress by putting something binding or fouling on or in the way: »

Muddy roads impeded our journey.