First Known Use: 1574
Dictionary
1prophylactic
adjective pro·phy·lac·tic \ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik also ˌprä-\
medical : designed to prevent disease
Full Definition of PROPHYLACTIC
1
: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
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Origin of PROPHYLACTIC
Greek prophylaktikos, from prophylassein to be on guard, from pro- before + phylassein to guard, from phylak-, phylax guard
Related to PROPHYLACTIC
- Synonyms
- precautionary, preventative, preventive
2prophylactic
noun
medical : something that is designed to prevent the spread of disease or infection
Full Definition of PROPHYLACTIC
: something prophylactic; especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception
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First Known Use of PROPHYLACTIC
1642
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Rhymes with PROPHYLACTIC
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