Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OB'VI-ATE, v.t. [Fr. obvier; It. ovviare; Sp. obviar; from L. obvius; ob and via, way.]

Properly, to meet in the way; to oppose; hence, to prevent by interception, or to remove at the beginning or in the outset; hence in present usage, to remove in general, as difficulties or objections; to clear the way of obstacles in reasoning, deliberating or planning. To lay down every thing in its full light, so as to obviate all exceptions. Woodward.