Pre*vent" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prevented; p. pr. & vb. n. Preventing.] [L. praevenire, praeventum; prae before + venire to come. See Come.]
1.
To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct.
[Obs.]
We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thess. iv. 15.
We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.
Bk. of Common Prayer.
Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen.
Prior.
2.
To be beforehand with; to anticipate.
[Obs.]
Their ready guilt preventing thy commands.
Pope.
3.
To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart.
"This vile purpose to
prevent."
Shak.
Perhaps forestalling night prevented them.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*vent", v. i.
To come before the usual time.
[Obs.]
Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early.
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.