Adjective: prophylactic ,prow-fu'lak-tik [N. Amer], ,pró-fu'lak-tik [Brit]
- Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
"vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug";
- preventive, preventative
- Warding off
"the swastika … a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples";
- cautionary
- Capable of preventing conception or impregnation
"prophylactic devices and medications";
- contraceptive, antifertility
- Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
"the doctor recommended several prophylactics";
- preventive, preventative
- Contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
"The health clinic distributed free prophylactics to promote safe sex";
- condom, rubber [N. Amer, informal], safety [US, informal], safe, protective, French letter [Brit, archaic, informal], johnny [Brit, informal], franger [Austral, informal], protection
Derived forms: prophylactics
See also: healthful, protective
Type of: birth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, curative, cure, preventative, preventive, prophylactic device, remedy, therapeutic
Encyclopedia: Prophylactic