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ob·vi·ate

(ŏbvē-āt′)

tr.v. ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing, ob·vi·ates

To keep from happening or render unnecessary. See Synonyms at prevent.

[Latin obviāre, obviāt-, to hinder, from obvius, in the way; see OBVIOUS.]

ob′vi·ation n.

obvi·a′tor n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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