12 uses
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Definition
to stop (something from happening)
- Rosamond was naively convinced of what an old gentleman ought to do to prevent her from suffering annoyance.Book 7 — Two Temptations (20% in)
- The subject of the chaplaincy came up at Mr. Vincy's table when Lydgate was dining there, and the family connection with Mr. Bulstrode did not, he observed, prevent some freedom of remark even on the part of the host himself, though his reasons against the proposed arrangement turned entirely on his objection to Mr. Tyke's sermons, which were all doctrine, and his preference for Mr. Farebrother, whose sermons were free from that taint.Book 2 — Old and Young (32% in)
- The task, notwithstanding the assistance of my amanuensis, has been a somewhat laborious one, but your society has happily prevented me from that too continuous prosecution of thought beyond the hours of study which has been the snare of my solitary life.Book 2 — Old and Young (75% in)
- The artist was diligent, and Will recovering himself moved about and occupied Mr. Casaubon as ingeniously as he could; but he did not in the end prevent the time from seeming long to that gentleman, as was clear from his expressing a fear that Mrs. Casaubon would be tired.Book 2 — Old and Young (91% in)
- But Will had come to perceive that his defects—defects which Mr. Casaubon had himself often pointed to—needed for their correction that more strenuous position which his relative's generosity had hitherto prevented from being inevitable.Book 3 — Waiting for Death (69% in)
- She had immediately to consider what was to be done about the other letter: there was still time perhaps to prevent Will from coming to Lowick.Book 3 — Waiting for Death (69% in)
- Where you frequent a house it may militate very much against a girl's making a desirable settlement in life, and prevent her from accepting offers even if they are made."Book 3 — Waiting for Death (77% in)
- His own proud reticence had prevented him from ever being undeceived in the supposition that Dorothea had originally asked her uncle to invite Will to his house.Book 4 — Three Love Problems (52% in)
- To his secret feeling there was something repulsive in a woman's second marriage, and no match would prevent him from feeling it a sort of desecration for Dorothea.Book 6 — The Widow and Wife (15% in)
- But she had not entreated silence, and to prevent Caleb's blame she determined to blame herself and confess all to him that very night.Book 6 — The Widow and Wife (39% in)
- Two furnishing tradesmen at Brassing, whose bills had been incurred before his marriage, and whom uncalculated current expenses had ever since prevented him from paying, had repeatedly sent him unpleasant letters which had forced themselves on his attention.Book 6 — The Widow and Wife (53% in)
- "I have only wished to prevent you from hurrying us into wretchedness without any necessity," said Rosamond, the tears coming again from a softened feeling now that her husband had softened.Book 7 — Two Temptations (31% in)
There are no more uses of "prevent" in Middlemarch.
Typical Usage
(best examples)