preve

n. Proof. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prévenance. ] (Metaph.) A going before; anticipation in sequence or order. “The law of prevenance is simply the well-known law of phenomenal sequence.” Ward. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of anticipating another's wishes, desires, etc., in the way of favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness. [ Obs. ] Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ F. prévenir, L. praevenire. See Prevent. ] To come before; to anticipate; hence, to hinder; to prevent. [ Obs. ] Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of going before; anticipation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praeveniens, p. pr. ] Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. “Prevenient grace descending.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To come before the usual time. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1 Thess. iv. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us. Bk. of Common Prayer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be beforehand with; to anticipate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Their ready guilt preventing thy commands. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart. “This vile purpose to prevent.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]