prevent Copy link Outline 1. prŏhĭbeo, 22. obsto, impĕdio (to stand in the way; as hindrances or obstacles • prevent: 1. prŏhĭbeo, 2: foll. by direct acc., also by subj. with ne, quominus or acc. and infin.: may the gods p. the evils, dii mala prohibeant, Ter. Hec. 2, 1, 10: to p. a thing being done, p. ne quid fiat, Cic. Div. Verr. 10, fin.: I suppose winter has p.'d ..., credo hiemem prohibuisse quominus ..., id. Fam. 12, 5: for the use of infin., cf. Caes. B. G. 7, 38, dolore prohibeor ... pronuntiare: Cic.: Liv. In a negative sentence, use quin: see L. G. § 461. 2. obsto, impĕdio (to stand in the way; as hindrances or obstacles: while prohibeo is actually to prevent): v. to hinder.