prophylactic
[ proh-fuh-lak-tik, prof-uh- ]
/ ˌproʊ fəˈlæk tɪk, ˌprɒf ə- /
adjective
defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.
preventive or protective.
noun
Medicine/Medical. a prophylactic medicine or measure.
a preventive.
a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.
Words nearby prophylactic
prophesy, prophet, prophetess, prophetic, prophets, prophylactic, prophylactic treatment, prophylaxis, propine, propinquity, propiomazine
Origin of prophylactic
1565–75; < Greek prophylaktikós of guarding, equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein to guard beforehand) + -tikos -tic. See prophylaxis
OTHER WORDS FROM prophylactic
pro·phy·lac·ti·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for prophylactic
British Dictionary definitions for prophylactic
prophylactic
/ (ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk) /
adjective
protecting from or preventing disease
protective or preventive
noun
a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom
Word Origin for prophylactic
C16: via French from Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein to guard by taking advance measures, from pro- ² + phulax a guard
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for prophylactic
prophylactic
[ prō′fə-lăk′tĭk, prŏf′ə- ]
n.
A prophylactic agent, device, or measure, such as a vaccine or drug.
A contraceptive device, especially a condom.
adj.
Acting to defend against or prevent something, especially disease; protective.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.