obviate
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ob·vi·ate
(ŏb′vē-āt′)tr.v. ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing, ob·vi·ates
To keep from happening or render unnecessary. See Synonyms at prevent.
[Latin obviāre, obviāt-, to hinder, from obvius, in the way; see obvious.]
ob′vi·a′tion n.
ob′vi·a′tor n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
obviate
(ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt)vb
(tr) to avoid or prevent (a need or difficulty)
[C16: from Late Latin obviātus prevented, past participle of obviāre; see obvious]
ˌobviˈation n
Usage: Only things that have not yet occurred can be obviated. For example, one can obviate a possible future difficulty, but not one that already exists
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ob•vi•ate
(ˈɒb viˌeɪt)v.t. -at•ed, -at•ing.
to anticipate and prevent or render unnecessary by effective measures.
[1590–1600; < Latin obviātus, past participle of obviāre to act contrary to, derivative of obvius; see obvious, -ate1]
ob′vi•a•ble, adj.
ob`vi•a′tion, n.
ob′vi•a`tor, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
obviate
Past participle: obviated
Gerund: obviating
| Imperative |
|---|
| obviate |
| obviate |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | obviate - do away with necessitate, need, require, call for, demand, postulate, involve, ask, take - require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent" |
| 2. |  obviate - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
obviate
verb (Formal) avert, avoid, remove, prevent, counter, do away with, preclude, counteract, ward off, stave off, forestall, render unnecessary This would obviate the need for a surgical operation.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
obviate
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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