Wednesday 18th May 2016
Obviate \ [ob-vee-eyt]
verb (used with object), obviated, obviating.
1. to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.)
by
effective measures; render unnecessary:
to obviate the risk of serious injury.
Quote
Well, sir, to obviate the inquiries which would inevitably be set on foot, should Mr
Fink-Nottle not present himself at Deverill Hall this evening, it would appear to be
essential that a substitute, purporting to be Mr Fink-Nottle, should take his place.
....P. G. Wodehouse, The Mating Season 1949
Origin
Obviate can be traced back to the Latin verb obviāre, "to act contrary to,
"which in turn is derivative of obvius meaning "in the way, lying in the path." The
common English term obvious once carried the meaning "being or standing in the way."
Thanks to: www.dictionary.com
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