obviate
    v 1: do away with [syn: obviate, rid of, eliminate] [ant:
         ask, call for, demand, involve, necessitate,
         need, postulate, require, take]
    2: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
       avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a
       strike" [syn: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate,
       deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off,
       avoid, ward off]

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.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different
            religion.                             --Fuller.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from
      the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the
      necessity of going.
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            To lay down everything in its full light, so as to
            obviate all exceptions.               --Woodward.
      [1913 Webster]