prophylactic

pro·phy·lac·tic  (prf-lktk, prf-)

adj.

Acting to defend against or prevent something, especially disease; protective.

n.

1. A prophylactic agent, device, or measure, such as a vaccine or drug.

2. A contraceptive device, especially a condom.

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[French prophylactique, from Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein, to take precautions against : pro-, before; see pro-² + phulassein, to protect (from phulax, guard).]

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prophy·lacti·cal·ly adv.

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prophylactic [ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk]

adj

1. (Medicine) protecting from or preventing disease

2. protective or preventive

n

(Medicine) a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom

[via French from Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein to guard by taking advance measures, from pro-² + phulax a guard]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	prophylactic - remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives" preventative, preventive curative, cure, therapeutic, remedy - a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
	2.	prophylactic - contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse condom, safe, rubber, safety birth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, preventative, preventive - an agent or device intended to prevent conception
Adj.	1.	prophylactic - capable of preventing conception or impregnation; "contraceptive devices and medications" antifertility, contraceptive protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs"
	2.	prophylactic - warding off; "the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples"- Victor Schultze cautionary protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs"
	3.	prophylactic - preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug" preventive, preventative healthful - conducive to good health of body or mind; "a healthful climate"; "a healthful environment"; "healthful nutrition"; "healthful sleep"; "Dickens's relatively healthful exuberance"

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prophylactic

adjective

preventative, protective, preventive, precautionary vaccination and other prophylactic measures

noun

1. preventative measure, safeguard, precaution, safety measure, preventative medicine The region began to use quinine as a prophylactic.

2. condom, johnny (informal), rubber (U.S.), sheath, Durex (Brit. trademark), Femidom (Brit. trademark), something for the weekend (informal) the use of prophylactics for protection against sexually-transmitted disease

Translations

prophylactic [ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk]

A. ADJ → profiláctico

B. N (= contraceptive) → profiláctico m

prophylactic [ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk]

adj (= preventive) → prophylactique

n

(= drug, device) → traitement m prophylactique

(= condom) → préservatif m

prophylactic

adj → prophylaktisch, vorbeugend

n → Prophylaktikum nt; (= contraceptive) → Präservativ nt

prophylactic [ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk]

1. adj (Med) → profilattico/a

2. n → profilattico

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prophylactic [ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk]

1. adj (Med) → profilattico/a

2. n → profilattico