prophylactic

¹pro·phy·lac·tic

adjective \ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik also ˌprä-\

Definition of PROPHYLACTIC

1

: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection

2

: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive

— pro·phy·lac·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PROPHYLACTIC

1. the prophylactic use of antibiotics
2. <the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster>

Origin of PROPHYLACTIC

Greek prophylaktikos, from prophylassein to be on guard, from pro- before + phylassein to guard, from phylak-, phylax guard

First Known Use: 1574

Related to PROPHYLACTIC

Synonyms

precautionary, preventative, preventive

Related Words

deterrent, deterring; negating, neutralizing, nullifying; baffling, balking, foiling, frustrating, thwarting; blocking, hampering, hindering, impeding, retardant, stalling

Near Antonyms

abetting, aiding, assisting; easing, facilitating, smoothing; encouraging, forwarding, fostering, furthering, nurturing, promoting

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

²prophylactic

noun

Definition of PROPHYLACTIC

: something prophylactic; especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception

First Known Use of PROPHYLACTIC

1642

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with PROPHYLACTIC

chiropractic, geotactic, hypotactic, isotactic, malolactic, parallactic, paratactic, phonotactic, phototactic, phyllotactic