prophylactic
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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

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

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