What is prevent?

Famous quotes containing the word prevent:

“We are not questioning your authority, sir, but if manners prevent our speaking the truth, we will be without manners.”
—Philip Dunne (1908–1992)

“We can best help you to prevent war not by repeating your words and following your methods but by finding new words and creating new methods.”
—Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)

“The principle office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.”
—Tacitus (c. 55–117)