Preclude Meaning and Definition
Preclude
Pronunciation
/ˈpriːklud/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
A preclude is to prevent or exclude something from happening or being done before it can be considered or started.
Examples
1. “The new regulation precludes companies from using certain chemicals in their products.”
2. “She had to preclude herself from participating in the competition due to a previous injury.”
Synonyms
1. Prevent
2. Exclude
3. Rule out
Antonyms
1. Permit
2. Allow
3. Enable
Additional Information
A preclude can be a formal or informal act, and it can have various consequences depending on the context. In some cases, precluding something might mean avoiding potential risks or negative outcomes. In other cases, it might mean excluding opportunities or alternatives. Language professionals and linguists often study the nuances and implications of precluding in different contexts.
Precluding can be an intentional or unintentional action, and it may be influenced by various factors such as laws, regulations, personal biases, or societal norms.
The term preclude comes from the Latin prefix “prae-” meaning “before” and the verb “cludere” meaning “to shut” or “to close”. This etymology suggests that precluding involves closing or shutting something before it can happen or occur.
Precluding can also be related to other linguistic concepts, such as foreclosing, disallowing, or proscribing.
Etymology
The word preclude comes from the Latin “praecludere” meaning “to shut before” or “to exclude beforehand”. This Latin term is derived from the prefix “prae-” meaning “before” and the verb “cludere” meaning “to shut” or “to close”.
Usage Notes
Preclude is typically used as a transitive verb, taking an object such as a situation, action, or activity. For example: “She precluded her involvement in the project due to a conflicting schedule.”
Preclude can also be used as a participial form, often used in English phrases like “precluding discussion” or “precludable under certain circumstances”.
Cultural References
In pop culture, preclude is occasionally used in literature and screenwriting contexts to convey the idea of excluding or preventing certain elements or plot twists from occurring.
Idiomatic Expressions
Preclude is often used in idiomatic expressions like “preclude any possibility”, “preclude further discussion”, or “preclude the need for something”.
Collocations
Preclude is often used in collocations with words like “any possibility”, “further discussion”, or “the need for something”.
Frequency of Use
The word preclude is relatively uncommon in everyday speech, but it is more frequently used in formal or technical contexts, such as law, medicine, or business.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of preclude include “procluded”, “preclud”, “precludeing”, or “precludeed”.