v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding. ] [ L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close, v. ] 1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede. [ 1913 Webster ]

The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins. E. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation. [ 1913 Webster ]

This much will obviate and preclude the objections. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praeclusio. See Preclude. ] The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering. -- Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]