Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prophylactic"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Prophylactic \Proph`y*lac"tic\, n. [Cf. F. prophylactique.]
(Med.)
A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a
preventive.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Prophylactic \Proph`y*lac"tic\, Prophylactical
\Proph`y*lac"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to guard against; ?
before + ? to guard: cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.)
Defending or preserving from disease; preventive. --Coxe.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
prophylactic
adj 1: capable of preventing conception or impregnation;
"contraceptive devices and medications" [syn: {contraceptive},
{antifertility}]
2: tending to ward off; "the swastika...a very ancient
prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples"- Victor
Schultze [syn: {cautionary}, {preventive}]
3: preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease;
"preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a
prophylactic drug" [syn: {preventive}, {preventative}]
n 1: remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or
disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives"
[syn: {preventive}, {preventative}]
2: contraceptive device consisting of a thin rubber or latex
sheath worn over the penis during intercourse [syn: {condom},
{rubber}, {safety}, {safe}]
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