Main Entry: ¹pro·phy·lac·tic

Pronunciation: \ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik also ˌpräf-ə-\

Function: adjective

1 : guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection <prophylactic therapy>
2 : tending to prevent or ward off : preventive

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