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A sluiceway or passage for superfluous water in a reservoir, to prevent too great pressure on the dam.

A guard in the front part of vehicle, to prevent splashing by a mud or water from the horse's heels; -- in the United States commonly called dashboard.

A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to prevent it from turning in going down a hill. To put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the execution of some design.

anding flush with the wall on each of its sides, at the external angles of plastering, to prevent their being damaged. -- The staff of life, bread. "Bread is the staff of life." Swift. -- Staff tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Celastrus, mostly climbing shrubs of the northern hemisphere. The American species (C. s…

ight in a lop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.

tiffen them. Stay bolt (Mech.), a bolt or short rod, connecting opposite plates, so as to prevent them from being bulged out when acted upon by a pressure which tends to force them apart, as in the leg of a steam boiler. -- Stay busk, a stiff piece of wood, steel, or whalebone, for the front support of a woman's stays…

An ill smell; an offensive odor; a stink. Cowper. Stench trap, a contrivance to prevent stench or foul air from rising from the openings of sewers, drains, etc.

To destroy all spores or germs in (an organic fluid or mixture), as by heat, so as to prevent the development of bacterial or other organisms.

To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed. I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat. Shak. The trembling weapon passed Through nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the last. Dryden.

To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration. You shall stifle in your own report. Shak.

To hinder from acting or moving; to prevent the effect or efficiency of; to cause to cease; to repress; to restrain; to suppress; to interrupt; to suspend; as, to stop the execution of a decree, the progress of vice, the approaches of old age or infirmity. Whose disposition all the world well knows Will not be rubbed n…

A partition or door to direct or prevent a current of air.

ically, an openwork or perforated screen, as for the end of the suctionpipe of a pump, to prevent large solid bodies from entering with a liquid.

To quit work in order to compel an increase, or prevent a reduction, of wages.

To hinder from growing to the natural size; to prevent the growth of; to stint, to dwarf; as, to stunt a child; to stunt a plant. When, by a cold penury, I blast the abilities of a nation, and stunt the growth of its active energies, the ill or may do is beyond all calculation. Burke.

tiff wire, inserted in catheters or other tubular instruments to maintain their shape and prevent clogging.

To come under, as a support or stay; to happen. A future state must needs subvene to prevent the whole edifice from falling into ruin. Bp. Warburton.

To retard the motion of, as a carriage, by preventing one or more of its wheels from revolving, either by means of a chain or otherwise. [Obs.]

To retain without disclosure; to conceal; not to reveal; to prevent publication of; as, to suppress evidence; to suppress a pamphlet; to suppress the truth. She suppresses the name, and this keeps him in a pleasing suspense. Broome.

lness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking. To prevent surfeit and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels. Bunyan.