From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Prevent \Pre*vent"\, verb (used with an object) [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.
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