prophylactic

American  

[proh-fuh-lak-tik, prof-uh-] / ˌproʊ fəˈlæk tɪk, ˌprɒf ə- /

adjective

1. defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.

2. preventive or protective.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a prophylactic medicine or measure.

2. a preventive.

3. a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.

prophylactic British  

/ ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk /

adjective

1. protecting from or preventing disease

2. protective or preventive

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noun

1. a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom

Other Word Forms

• prophylactically adverb

Etymology

Origin of prophylactic

First recorded in 1565–75; from Greek prophylaktikós “of guarding,” equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein “to guard beforehand”) + -tikos -tic; prophylaxis

Example Sentences

Volunteers were divided into two groups: prophylactic arm and therapeutic arm.

From Science Daily

It also announced plans to buy Cidara Therapeutics, which is working on antiviral treatments, including a flu prophylactic in Phase 3, for $9.2 billion.

From MarketWatch

Both antivirals can also be prescribed if you’ve been exposed to the flu and want to take it prophylactically.

From The Wall Street Journal

But more crucially, American military aid is prophylactic.

From Salon

Pallett says such prophylactic use of the drugs, though unavoidable, can “add fuel to the fire” by promoting the evolution and spread of genes for drug resistance.

From Science Magazine