prevent

The story

1. Latin · derived frompraeventus
2. Middle English · inherited frompreventen“anticipate”
3. English todayprevent

From Middle English preventen (“anticipate”), from Latin praeventus, perfect passive participle of praeveniō (“to anticipate”), from prae (“before”) + veniō (“to come”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
• from 16th c. To take preventative measures.
• 16th–18th c. To come before; to precede.
• 16th–17th c. To outdo, surpass.