— obviable /ob"vee euh beuhl/ , adj. — obviation , n. — obviator , n.
/ob"vee ayt'/ , v.t., obviated, obviating .
to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.
[ 1590-1600; obviatus, ptp. of obviare to act contrary to, deriv. of obvius; see OBVIOUS, -ATE 1 ]
Syn . preclude, avert, anticipate.