Pre*clude" (?), 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.

The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins.

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.

This much will obviate and preclude the objections.

• To remove the possibility of; to rule out; to prevent or exclude
       
• It has been raining for days, but that doesn't preclude the possibility that the skies will clear by this afternoon.