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.
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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, adverbWords nearby prophylactic
prophesy, prophet, prophetess, prophetic, Prophets, prophylactic, prophylactic treatment, prophylaxis, propine, propinquity, propiomazine
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences 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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.