■ verb
1》 keep from happening or arising.
↘make unable to do something.
2》 archaic (of God) go before (someone) with spiritual guidance and help.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able (also ~ible ) adjective
~ion noun
Origin
ME: from L. praevent- , praevenire 'precede, hinder', from prae 'before' + venire 'come'.