All 11 Uses of

prevent
in
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

We are but preventing her from injuring another.†
Chpt 1

preventing = stopping (something from happening)

But this time I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to prevent?†
Chpt 3

prevent = stop (something from happening)

Now her marriage would mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her stepfather do to prevent it?†
Chpt 3 *

The thing to do was clearly to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to come.†
Chpt 3

It took all my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of astonishment.†
Chpt 6

I gave a cry of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from coming up to me.†
Chpt 6

When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its place, I think that there is good ground to think that the mystery may be cleared along those lines.†
Chpt 8

preventing = stopping (something from happening)

We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.†
Chpt 8

prevent = stop (something from happening)

It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.†
Chpt 10

Is it not possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an outbreak?†
Chpt 12

The dog is let loose at night to prevent him from endeavouring to communicate with her.†
Chpt 12

Definition:

to stop (something from happening)