forestallment

English

Alternative forms

• forestalment

Etymology

From Middle English forstallement, equivalent to forestall +‎ -ment.

Noun

forestallment (plural forestallments)

1. The act or process of forestalling; a delay; hindrance; prevention; aversion.
   • 1853, Boston (Mass.). School Committee, Report of the Annual Examination of the Public Schools:

     One of the most important objects of our Schools, is the forestallment of crime, by bringing the minds of the children under proper influences, before they have become contaminated with vice, [...]

Synonyms

• determent
• deterrence
• preclusion