v (transitive|now|_|legal) To make void, to annul; to refute (especially a contract).
v (transitive|legal) To defeat or evade; to invalidate. Thus, in a replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea, or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter.
v (transitive|obsolete) To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions.
v (transitive|obsolete) To leave, evacuate; to leave as empty, to withdraw or come away from.