The act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
early 15c., from Medieval Latin obviationem (nominative obviatio ), noun of action from past participle stem of obviare (see obviate ).

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. The act of obviate; deterrence or prevention.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Obviation may refer to: A linguistic process involving the obviative (fourth person) Bypass (disambiguation)

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively [syn: forestalling , preclusion ]

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Obviation \Ob`vi*a"tion\, n. The act of obviating, or the state of being obviated.