v.
  - keep away or refrain from. 
▸prevent from happening.
 - Law  repudiate, nullify, or render void (a decree or contract).
 
 
  Derivative
  
    - avoidable adj.
  - avoidably adv.
  - avoidance n.
  - avoider n.
 
   
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. evuider ‘clear out, get rid of’, from vuide (see void).