forestall

Definition

To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.

Etymology

From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + steall (“position”), equivalent to fore- + stall.

Example Sentences

• "Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action."
• "The Act of 1846 also authorised a branch from the village of Broughty Ferry on the D. & A. to the pier at Broughty Ferry Castle. This action was taken to forestall the Edinburgh & Northern Railway, which had acquired the ferry between Ferryport-on-Craig (Tayport from July, 1851) and Broughty Ferry, and had hopes of a connecting railway on the north side of the Tay."
• "In French, an aspired h forestalls elision."