contraindicate

American  

[kon-truh-in-di-keyt] / ˌkɒn trəˈɪn dɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

Medicine/Medical.

contraindicated, contraindicating

1. (of a symptom or condition) to give indication against the advisability of (a particular or usual remedy or treatment).

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contraindicate British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈɪndɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) med to advise against or indicate the possible danger of (a drug, treatment, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• contraindicant noun
• contraindication noun

Etymology

Origin of contraindicate

First recorded in 1660–70; probably back formation from contraindication; see contra ¹, indication

Explanation

To contraindicate is to advise against. You'll almost always find this word in a medical context. A medicine that makes you sleepy would contraindicate driving, but that same medicine would be fine to take while you’re lying on the couch. Contraindicate has Latin roots in contra for “against” and indicate for “to point out.” To contraindicate means to “point away” because the combination of the activity with the drugs or treatment could be dangerous to the patient. For example, the diagnosis of a virus in a young child contraindicates the use of aspirin because it's been shown to increase the risk of a potentially fatal syndrome. Contraindicate is often used in the passive voice, “For young children, aspirin is contraindicated.”

Example Sentences

Defective heart and kidney action contraindicate prolonged hot baths, but such ills will not appear if the mother lives properly.

From Maintaining Health Formerly Health and Efficiency by Alsaker, R. L.