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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prevent, v. Also: prewent, preyvent, prevynt, prævent. [Late ME and e.m.E. prevent(e (1467–8), L. prævent-, p.p. stem of prævenīre Prevene v. In Sc. chiefly late.] = Prevene v. in various senses.

1. To avert by anticipatory action; to forestall, obviate, hinder, prevent. 1442–3 Coldingham Priory 148.
Als mykil as hym wes he preventit all ȝwr gift giffin to me 1600 Glasgow B. Rec. I 206.
Quhilk, gif it be nocht preventit, will endanger the haill towne 1632 Lithgow Trav. x 439.
To conclude this epitome of France, three things I wish the way-faring man to prevent there c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 143.
The honour … to prewent so great a malhoure 1661 Conv. Burghs III 548.
To preyvent the … nulling of ane lat act

b. Of one event: To avert (another) by prior occurrence, to anticipate, forestall. c1590 Fowler II 30/13.
The death was ouer honorabil that suld preuentit the gallous 1657 Laing MSS I 308.
I sould wish all those questions ar prevynted by a fair agriment

2. To anticipate, act in advance of, also, to arrive before (a due or appointed time). 1577–8 Waus Corr. 173.
Thairfor I thocht it gud to prewent the tyme, and geif yow warning 1600-1610 Melvill 655.
We resolvit all to come to your majestie, evir with alacritie and diligence, preventing the day appoyntit c1630 Scot Narr. 136.
They conveened the more timously to prevent the ordinar tyme of the counsell c1680 W. Row Blair 426.
Leighton … prevented the diet appointed by the Secret Council's proclamation

b. To anticipate (an event) by a prior action. c 1670 D. Blair in Blair Autob. 594.
My father prevented his landing by a sermon of thanksgiving for that purpose

3. To take earlier action than, to forestall (another person). a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 100.
Thair was fundin with him a reasonable gude purse of money … wharewith he intendit to have payit his soldiors bot was sumwhat preventit this way be men of greater mister 1624 Huntar Weights & Measures To reader.
Let them not be offended with me in preventing them 1640 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 601.
He hath prevented you in that, for ye have not chosen Him, but He hath chosen you

4. To overtake (prematurely) or cut off, by death. Only passive. b. To cut off or arrest (a person's life).a. 1562-3 Winȝet I 81/25.
Gif thai be præuentit be deth but baptim 1581 Edinb. Test. IX 294 b.
In cais the ane be preventit befoir the vther but lauchfull airis of thair bodeis 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix. 1626 Garden Worthies 91.
Thy hopefull heyre to end when thow was old And nepot be by violence preventedb. 1587-99 Hume 35/35.
Yee natures course the Lord he will prevent And call thee hame

5. a. To influence in advance, to prejudice (a person's mind). b. To lead or influence spiritually. c1590 Fowler II 21/19.
Nor myndes preuentit be his feinȝeid falshoode a1599 Rollock Wks. II 3.
Even they who … profess outwardly his word … if they remain in nature, and be not prevented by the spirit of adoption

6. To be earlier than, arrive sooner than, precede. 1614 Lett. Eccl. Affairs II 392.
I hoip my letters with the last poist … sall prevent thir [present letters] 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 465.
Let the hour of gathering … be seaven … and the hour of skailing six, and such as learns Latein wold always prevent the rest a prettie space

7. To balk or hinder (a person) from an intended action. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 440.
Then how cummis this wark on? We ar prevented, sum thing appeiris that was hid