obviate

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The Word of the Day for January 20 is:

obviate   \AHB-vee-ayt\   verb
     : to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make 
unnecessary (as an action)

Example sentence:
     Rob checks every ledger entry twice to obviate any 
problems when it comes time for an audit.

Did you know?
     "Obviate" derives from the Late Latin "obviare" 
(meaning "to meet or withstand") and the Latin "obviam," which 
means "in the way" and is also an ancestor of our 
adjective "obvious." "Obviate" has a number of synonyms in 
English, including "prevent," "preclude," and "avert"; all of 
these words can mean to hinder or stop something. When you 
prevent or preclude something, you put up an insurmountable 
obstacle. In addition, "preclude" often implies that a degree 
of chance was involved in stopping an event. "Obviate" 
generally suggests the use of intelligence or forethought to 
ward off trouble. "Avert" always implies that a bad situation 
has been anticipated and prevented or deflected by the 
application of immediate and effective means.