Obviation
/ˌɒb.vɪˈeɪ.ʃən/noun
The act of preventing or making unnecessary; an avoidance.
Did you know?In medieval philosophy, 'obviation' was often linked to the concept of divine intervention, suggesting that certain fates could be thwarted by higher powers.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
obviatio
“the act of meeting or preventing.”
Late Middle Ages
Middle English
obviacioun
“a term used in legal contexts to denote prevention or avoidance.”
16th Century
Early Modern English
obviation
“the act of making something unnecessary or avoiding it.”
Modern English
English
obviation
“the act or process of preventing or making unnecessary.”