/ prɪˈvent; NAmE / verb
prevent sb/sth (from doing sth) to stop sb from doing sth; to stop sth from happening :
[ vn ]
The accident could have been prevented.
He is prevented by law from holding a licence.
Nothing would prevent him from speaking out against injustice.
[ vn -ing ] ( BrE )
Nothing would prevent him / his speaking out against injustice.
[also v -ing ]
► pre·vent·able adjective :
preventable diseases / accidents
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense act in anticipation of ): from Latin praevent- preceded, hindered, from the verb praevenire , from prae before + venire come.