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PSAT/NMSQT
PSAT Reading Test

Determining Meaning of 'Stave Off'

Medium Vocabulary In Context Determining Meaning From Context

As a dedicated gardener, Maria always found solace in tending to her plants. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured that each seedling flourished under her care. Last spring, she decided to experiment with a new variety of tomatoes, which were said to be exceptionally flavorful. However, a few weeks into the growing season, Maria noticed that the leaves of her new tomato plants began to show signs of blight, an affliction that commonly affects tomatoes. Frustrated but determined, she pruned the affected leaves and treated the soil, hoping that her intervention would stave off the spread of the disease.

In this context, what does the word 'stave off' most likely mean?

Hint

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