v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obviated p. pr. & vb. n. Obviating. ] [ L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) + viare to go, fr. via way. See Voyage. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To meet in the way. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different religion. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the necessity of going. [ 1913 Webster ]

To lay down everything in its full light, so as to obviate all exceptions. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. pren. making impossible or unnecessary.
Syn. -- preclusive. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The act of obviating, or the state of being obviated. [ 1913 Webster ]