prevent
/pɹɪˈvɛnt/ verb A2- To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something). · I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.· Barriers have been put up to prevent more people (from) entering the stadium.
He/she/it prevents · Past prevented · Past participle prevented · -ing form preventing
Verb forms
- Base form
- prevent
- He/she/it
- prevents
- Past
- prevented
- Past participle
- prevented
- -ing form
- preventing
From the library
“I demand admittance,” said a loud voice outside the room, “in the name of the law!” As no attempt was made to prevent it, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing his official scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiers and a corporal.
There had been some visitors, and the door was open; so there was nothing to prevent him.
de Villefort, so as to prevent his listening to what you said.
Franz added that his companion, deeply grieved at having been prevented the honor of being presented to the countess during her sojourn in Paris, was most anxious to make up for it, and had requested him (Franz) to remedy the past misfortune by conducting him to her box, and concluded by asking pardon for his presumption in having taken it upon himself to do so.
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