prophylactic

/prophylactic/
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prophylactic

The doctor explained that a prophylactic vaccine can prevent many serious diseases.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease: Describes something, especially a medicine or measure, that is intended to prevent disease.
    • Capable of preventing conception or impregnation: Describes a device or substance used to prevent pregnancy.
  2. Noun:

    • A remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease: A medicine or treatment used to prevent disease.
    • A contraceptive device, especially a condom: A sheath, typically of thin rubber or latex, worn over the penis during intercourse to prevent pregnancy or disease transmission.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • The doctor prescribed a prophylactic antibiotic before the surgery.
    • Vaccination is a key prophylactic measure against many infectious diseases.
  • Noun:

    • Quinine was used as a malaria prophylactic.
    • He bought prophylactics from the pharmacy.
Advanced Usage
  • Prophylactic use/measure/treatment: Refers to the preventive application of a medicine or strategy.
    • Prophylactic use of aspirin can help prevent heart attacks in some patients.
  • Prophylactic surgery: A surgical procedure performed to reduce the risk of developing a disease.
    • She opted for prophylactic mastectomy due to a strong family history of breast cancer.
Variants and Related Words
  • Prophylaxis (n): The action of preventing disease.
    • Dental prophylaxis involves cleaning teeth to prevent cavities and gum disease.
  • Prophylactically (adv): In a preventive manner.
    • The drug was administered prophylactically to the travelers.
Synonyms
  • Preventive (adj/n): Serving to prevent.
  • Precautionary (adj): Carried out as a precaution.
  • Contraceptive (adj/n): Preventing conception.
  • Condom (n): A specific type of prophylactic device.
Related Phrases
  • Prophylactic against: Used to indicate what is being prevented.
    • This vaccine is a prophylactic against hepatitis B.
prophylactic

The doctor explained that a prophylactic vaccine can prevent many serious diseases.

Adjective
  1. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
    • preventive medicine
    • vaccines are prophylactic
    • a prophylactic drug
  2. warding off
    • the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples- Victor Schultze
  3. capable of preventing conception or impregnation
    • contraceptive devices and medications
Noun
  1. contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
  2. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
    • the doctor recommended several preventatives