preventv. t.[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.()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.()Their ready guilt preventing thy commands. (Pope.)3. To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart.(Shak.)Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. (Milton.)v. i. To come before the usual time.()Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early. (Bacon.)