prophylactic

[ proh-fuh-lak-tik, prof-uh- ]

adjective

1. defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.
2. preventive or protective.

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a prophylactic medicine or measure.
2. a preventive.
3. a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.

prophylactic

/ ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk /

adjective

1. protecting from or preventing disease
2. protective or preventive

noun

1. a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom

Other Words From

• pro·phy·lac·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prophylactic¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Greek prophylaktikós “of guarding,” equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein “to guard beforehand”) + -tikos -tic; prophylaxis

Word History and Origins

Origin of prophylactic¹

C16: via French from Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein to guard by taking advance measures, from pro- ² + phulax a guard