pro·phy·lac·tic
[proh-fuh-lak-tik, prof-uh-] Show IPA
adjective
1.
defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.
2.
preventive or protective.
noun
3.
Medicine/Medical . a prophylactic medicine or measure.
4.
a preventive.
5.
a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.
00:06
Prophylactic is always a great word to know.
So is hallux. Does it mean:
| a combining form meaning "ear": |
| the first or innermost digit of the foot of humans and other primates or of the hind foot of other mammals; great toe; big toe. |
Origin:
1565–75; < Greek prophylaktikós of guarding, equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein to guardbeforehand) + -tikos -tic. See prophylaxis
1565–75; < Greek prophylaktikós of guarding, equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein to guardbeforehand) + -tikos -tic. See prophylaxis
Related forms
pro·phy·lac·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To prophylactic
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World English Dictionary
prophylactic (ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tAHw6Z8yaAGLYE9lF-g2QHfcKjAEo_X9rLBemXUX6G8O02o69qdSoGEuRtYzKhYp6GWNwNBiFHAaOAc_HpbeG4y9P0uICU6PF25QwVhSfjOYQLa93YLPzaS6KBSU5MVE9BGCgcjKmUw4t2l59sxhc=s0-d) | |
| — adj | |
| 1. | protecting from or preventing disease |
| 2. | protective or preventive |
| — n | |
| 3. | a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom |
| [C16: via French from Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein to guard by taking advance measures,from | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
prophylactic
1574, originally of medicines, "that tends to prevent disease," from Gk. prophylaktikos "precautionary,"from prophylassein "keep guard before, ward off," from pro- "before" + phylassein, Ionic variant ofphylattein "to watch over, to guard," but also "cherish, keep, remain in, preserve." The noun is
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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