Obviate

ˈɒb.vi.eɪt

verb

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures

The word 'obviate' comes from the Latin word 'obviare', meaning 'to meet or resist.' To obviate something is to take action to prevent or remove a problem or need before it arises.

In order to obviate any delays possible through any routine requirements as to payment in your departments, we enclose cheque herewith for ten pounds (£10), receipt of which please acknowledge.

Bram Stoker

Dracula

To level this, the bold Italians join; The wary Trojans obviate their design; With weighty stones o’erwhelm their troops below, Shoot thro’ the loopholes, and sharp jav’lins throw.

Virgil

The Aeneid

In order to obviate this danger, and to render it possible to force the charge, it may become necessary to return to the process of the fourteenth century, hooping, and to encircle the piece on the outside with a series of unwelded steel bands, from the breech to the trunnions.

Victor Hugo

Les Misérables

But if we can get a sample of Snow Crash from this drug-taking site, it will obviate the rest of our mission."

Neal Stephenson

Snow Crash

Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he could, with all the cards in his hand and he had a capital opening to make a name for himself and win a high place in the city’s esteem where he could command a stiff figure and, booking ahead, give a grand concert for the patrons of the King Street house, given a backer-up, if one were forthcoming to kick him upstairs, so to speak—a big if, however—with some impetus of the goahead sort to obviate the inevitable procrastination which often tripped up a too much fêted prince of good fellows and it need not detract from the other by one iota as, being his own master, he would have heaps of time to practise literature in his spare moments when desirous of so doing without its clashing with his vocal career or containing anything derogatory whatsoever as it was a matter for himself alone.

James Joyce

Ulysses