▪ I. † ˈobviate, ppl. a. Obs. rare—1.
[ad. L. obviāt-us, pa. pple. of obviāre: see next.]
= obviated.
| 1671 True Nonconf. 12 This is already obviat by the Lord's own determination. |
▪ II. obviate, v.
(ˈɒbvɪeɪt)
[f. L. obviāt-, ppl. stem of obviāre to meet, withstand, oppose, prevent, f. ob against + via way. Cf. F. obvier (14th c., Godef.).]
† 1. trans. To meet, encounter; hence, to withstand, oppose (a person or thing). Obs.
| 1600–9 Rowlands Knaue of Clubbes 37 As on the way I Itinerated, A Rurall person I Obuiated, Interogating times Transitation. 1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Warrs of Flanders 326 [He] advanced suddenly with..300 Foot to obviat him. 1695 J. Edwards Perfect. Script. Ded., You obviated their folly..with a profound wisdom. 1702 J. Logan in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 84 To obviate those three unworthy charges..I have taken all proper courses. |
2. To meet and dispose of or do away with (a thing); to clear out of the way; to prevent by anticipatory measures.
| 1598 Yong Diana 338 So did she obuiate this doubt with a sudden remedie. 1656 Cromwell Sp. 17 Sept. in Carlyle, That I might..advise with you about the remedies and means to obviate these dangers. 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. 243 [This] will obviate and preclude the most considerable objections of our adversaries. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 148 ¶11 But how has he obviated the inconveniences of old age? 1804 Ld. Ellenborough in East's Rep. V. 254 The defect..cannot..be obviated in the manner suggested. 1868 Rogers Pol. Econ. iv. (1876) 38 The risk of transporting money from one country to another has been obviated by the use of..Bills of Exchange. |
† b. To anticipate, forestall. Obs.
| 1712 Addison Spect. No. 367 ¶4 If I do not take care to obviate some of my witty Readers, they will be apt to tell me, that my Paper..is still beneficial [etc.]. |
† 3. To lie in the way between. Obs. rare.
| 1705 Scarburgh Euclid 8 A Strait line is That, All whose intermedial Parts do obviate the Extreams. |