Noah Webster
Obviate
OB'VIATE, verb transitive [Latin 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.