Part 523

Pre*ven"i*ent (?), a. [L. praeveniens, p. pr.] Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. "Prevenient grace descending." Milton.

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.

Pre*vent", v. i. To come before the usual time. [Obs.]

Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early.

Bacon.

Pre*vent`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being preventable.

Pre*vent"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prevented or hindered; as, preventable diseases.

Pre*vent"a*tive (?), n. That which prevents; -- incorrectly used instead of preventive.

Pre*vent"er (?), n. 1. One who goes before; one who forestalls or anticipates another. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. One who prevents or obstructs; a hinderer; that which hinders; as, a preventer of evils or of disease.

3. (Naut.) An auxiliary rope to strengthen a mast.

Preventer bolts, or Preventer plates (Naut.), fixtures connected with preventers to reÎnforce other rigging. -- Preventer stay. (Naut.) Same as Preventer, 3.

Pre*vent"ing*ly, adv. So as to prevent or hinder.

Pre*ven"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. prÈvention.] 1. The act of going, or state of being, before. [Obs.]

The greater the distance, the greater the prevention.

Bacon.