Definition of prophylactic
1 : guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
2 : tending to prevent or ward off : preventive
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Examples of prophylactic in a Sentence
the prophylactic use of antibiotics
the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster
Origin and Etymology of prophylactic
Greek prophylaktikos, from prophylassein to be on guard, from pro- before + phylassein to guard, from phylak-, phylax guard
prophylactic
Definition of prophylactic
: something prophylactic; especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception
First Known Use of prophylactic
circa 1641
PROPHYLACTIC Defined for English Language Learners
prophylactic
playDefinition of prophylactic for English Language Learners
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medical : designed to prevent disease
prophylactic
Definition of prophylactic for English Language Learners
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medical : something that is designed to prevent the spread of disease or infection
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of prophylactic
1: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection prophylactic therapy
2: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive
prophylactic
Medical Definition of prophylactic
: something (as a medicinal preparation) that is prophylactic; especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception
Law Dictionary
prophylactic
playLegal Definition of prophylactic
: designed or tending to prevent harm or wrong a prophylactic rule against profiting from inside information
Learn More about prophylactic
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prophylactic Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prophylactic
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