Prophylactic
/pɹɒfəˈlæktɪk/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive.
- 2 contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse wordnet
- 3 A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive.; A prophylactic condom. US, specifically
"It is not clear whether such education is to be directed to homosexuals (for whom prophylactics are not a contraceptive) or to heterosexuals as well (for whom prophylactics are a contraceptive)."
- 4 remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease wordnet
- 5 Any device or mechanism intended to prevent harmful consequences. figuratively
"The securities laws are a prophylactic against stock fraud."
Adjective
- 1 Serving to prevent or protect against an undesired effect, especially disease or pregnancy
Adjective
- 1 preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease wordnet
- 2 warding off wordnet
- 3 capable of preventing conception or impregnation wordnet
Example
More examples"In some cases, mastectomy is prophylactic surgery - a preventive measure taken by those considered to be at high risk of breast cancer."
Etymology
From Latin prophylacticus, from Ancient Greek προφυλακτικός (prophulaktikós, “prophylactic”).