Obviate — Ob vi*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Obviated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Obviating}.] [L. obviare; ob (see {Ob }) + viare to go, fr. via way. See {Voyage}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To meet in the way. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Not to stir a step to obviate any of a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
obviate — index balk, bar (hinder), deter, estop, forestall, overrule, overthrow, prevent, r … Law dictionary
obviate — (v.) 1590s, to meet and do away with, from L.L. obviatus, pp. of obviare act contrary to, go against, from L. obvius that is in the way, that moves against (see OBVIOUS (Cf. obvious)). Related: Obviated; obviating … Etymology dictionary
obviate — preclude, *prevent, avert, ward Analogous words: evade, elude, avoid, *escape: forestall, anticipate, *prevent: *interpose, interfere, intervene … New Dictionary of Synonyms
obviate — [v] make unnecessary anticipate, avert, block, counter, counteract, deter, do away with, forestall, forfend, hinder, interfere, interpose, intervene, preclude, prevent, remove, restrain, rule out, stave off, ward; concept 121 Ant. allow, help,… … New thesaurus
obviate — ► VERB 1) remove (a need or difficulty). 2) avoid; prevent. DERIVATIVES obviation noun. ORIGIN Latin obviare, from via way … English terms dictionary
obviate — [äb′vē āt΄] vt. obviated, obviating [< LL obviatus, pp. of obviare, to prevent < obvius: see OBVIOUS] to do away with or prevent by effective measures; make unnecessary obviation n … English World dictionary
obviate — UK [ˈɒbvɪeɪt] / US [ˈɑbvɪˌeɪt] verb [transitive] Word forms obviate : present tense I/you/we/they obviate he/she/it obviates present participle obviating past tense obviated past participle obviated formal to get rid of something such as a need… … English dictionary
obviate — ob|vi|ate [ abvi,eıt ] verb transitive FORMAL to get rid of something such as a need or a problem: The use of this equipment should obviate the problem. obviate the need/necessity for something: Increased profits do not obviate the need to reduce … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
obviate — [[t]ɒ̱bvieɪt[/t]] obviates, obviating, obviated VERB To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary. [FORMAL] [V n] The use of a solicitor trained as a mediator would obviate the need for independent… … English dictionary
obviate — 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… … Universalium