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.
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.
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.