21 uses
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Definition
to stop (something from happening)
- 'That about— Nancy,' said Fagin, clutching Sikes by the wrist, as if to prevent his leaving the house before he had heard enough.Chapter 47 — Fatal Consequences (52% in)
- As for exercise, it was nice cold weather, and he was allowed to perform his ablutions every morning under the pump, in a stone yard, in the presence of Mr. Bumble, who prevented his catching cold, and caused a tingling sensation to pervade his frame, by repeated applications of the cane.Chapter 3 — Relates How Oliver Twist was Very Near Getting a Palce.... (10% in)
- Oliver stared innocently in Mr. Bumble's face at this somewhat contradictory style of address; but that gentleman prevented his offering any remark thereupon, by leading him at once into an adjoining room: the door of which was open.Chapter 3 — Relates How Oliver Twist was Very Near Getting a Palce.... (68% in)
- Some houses which had become insecure from age and decay, were prevented from falling into the street, by huge beams of wood reared against the walls, and firmly planted in the road; but even these crazy dens seemed to have been selected as the nightly haunts of some houseless wretches, for many of the rough boards which supplied the place of door and window, were wrenched from their positions, to afford an aperture wide enough for the passage of a human body.Chapter 5 — Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral.... (62% in)
- By what, or by whom, nobody knows, for the clerk and jailor coughed very loud, just at the right moment; and the former dropped a heavy book upon the floor, thus preventing the word from being heard—accidently, of course.Chapter 11 — Treats of Mr. Fang the Police Magistrate; and Furnishes a.... (55% in)
- 'It has been taken down, child, because Mr. Brownlow said, that as it seemed to worry you, perhaps it might prevent your getting well, you know,' rejoined the old lady.Chapter 14 — Comprising Further Particulars of Oliver's Stay at Mr.... (5% in)
- 'We put the sick paupers into open carts in the rainy weather, to prevent their taking cold.'Chapter 17 — Oliver's Destiny Continuing Unpropitious, Brings a Great.... (33% in)
- 'The short and the long of what you mean,' said Nancy: speaking very emphatically, and slightly frowning at Oliver as if to bespeak his serious attention to her words: 'is, that if you're crossed by him in this job you have on hand, you'll prevent his ever telling tales afterwards, by shooting him through the head, and will take your chance of swinging for it, as you do for a great many other things in the way of business, every month of your life.'Chapter 20 — Wherein Oliver is Delivered Over to Mr. William Sikes (80% in)
- 'You're a-going to accommodate us, and wot's to prevent my standing treat for a pint or so, in return?'Chapter 21 — The Expedition (72% in)
- Mr. Bumble, having spread a handkerchief over his knees to prevent the crumbs from sullying the splendour of his shorts, began to eat and drink; varying these amusements, occasionally, by fetching a deep sigh; which, however, had no injurious effect upon his appetite, but, on the contrary, rather seemed to facilitate his operations in the tea and toast department.Chapter 23 — Which Contains the Substance of a Pleasant Conversation.... (58% in)
- But, unfortunately, Charley, in opening his mouth to reply that he was never more serious in his life, was unable to prevent the escape of such a violent roar, that the abused Mr. Chitling, without any preliminary ceremonies, rushed across the room and aimed a blow at the offender; who, being skilful in evading pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose his time so well that it lighted on the chest of the merry old gentleman, and caused him to stagger to the wall, where he stood panting...Chapter 25 — Wherein this History Reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company (59% in)
- The room was illuminated by two gas-lights; the glare of which was prevented by the barred shutters, and closely-drawn curtains of faded red, from being visible outside.Chapter 26 — In Which a Mysterious Character Appears Upon the Scene.... (19% in)
- The ceiling was blackened, to prevent its colour from being injured by the flaring of the lamps; and the place was so full of dense tobacco smoke, that at first it was scarcely possible to discern anything more.Chapter 26 — In Which a Mysterious Character Appears Upon the Scene.... (20% in)
- As a proof of the fact, the Jew drew forth two keys from his pocket; and explained, that when he first went downstairs, he had locked them in, to prevent any intrusion on the conference.Chapter 26 — In Which a Mysterious Character Appears Upon the Scene.... (98% in)
- These precautions having been taken, Mr. Giles held on fast by the tinker's arm (to prevent his running away, as he pleasantly said), and gave the word of command to open the door.Chapter 28 — Looks after Oliver, and Proceeds with His Adventures (84% in)
- As if on purpose to prevent his doing any good for himself!Chapter 31 — Involves a Critical Position (32% in)
- I owe it to you and yours, to prevent you from opposing, in the warmth of your generous nature, this great obstacle to your progress in the world.'Chapter 35 — Containing the Unsatisfactory Result of Oliver's Adventure.... (71% in)
- Mr. Bumble, who had eyed the building with very rueful looks, was apparently about to express some doubts relative to the advisability of proceeding any further with the enterprise just then, when he was prevented by the appearance of Monks: who opened a small door, near which they stood, and beckoned them inwards.Chapter 38 — Containing an Account of What Passed Between Mr. and Mrs.... (19% in)
- 'I judge that she had kept the trinket, for some time, in the hope of turning it to better account; and then had pawned it; and had saved or scraped together money to pay the pawnbroker's interest year by year, and prevent its running out; so that if anything came of it, it could still be redeemed.Chapter 38 — Containing an Account of What Passed Between Mr. and Mrs.... (72% in)
- ...of surprise, Fagin hastened to the girl's assistance, while Mr. John Dawkins (otherwise the Artful Dodger), who had followed his venerable friend into the room, hastily deposited on the floor a bundle with which he was laden; and snatching a bottle from the grasp of Master Charles Bates who came close at his heels, uncorked it in a twinkling with his teeth, and poured a portion of its contents down the patient's throat: previously taking a taste, himself, to prevent mistakes.Chapter 39 — Introduces Some Respectable Characters with Whom the.... (18% in)
- He had palmed a tale on the girl that some secret mystery—to be explained one day—prevented his marrying her just then; and so she had gone on, trusting patiently to him, until she trusted too far, and lost what none could ever give her back.Chapter 51 — Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries than One.... (33% in)
There are no more uses of "prevent" in Oliver Twist.
Typical Usage
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