Definition: obviate

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

obviate
     v 1: do away with [syn: rid of, eliminate] [ant: necessitate]
     2: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
        avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert
        a strike" [syn: debar, deflect, avert, head off, stave
        off, fend off, avoid, ward off]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Obviate \Ob"vi*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obviated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Obviating.] [L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) + viare to
   go, fr. via way. See Voyage.]
   1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]

            Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different
            religion.                             --Fuller.

   2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from
      the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the
      necessity of going.

            To lay down everything in its full light, so as to
            obviate all exceptions.               --Woodward.