preventive

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: preventativeprophylactichindrancehinderancehitchencumbranceincumbranceinterferencecontraceptivecontraceptive deviceprophylactic devicebirth control device

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease“the doctor recommended several preventatives”Synonyms: preventativeprophylactic
  2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensomeSynonyms: hindrancehinderancehitchpreventativeencumbranceincumbranceinterference
  3. an agent or device intended to prevent conceptionSynonyms: contraceptivepreventativecontraceptive deviceprophylactic devicebirth control device

Adjective (2)

  1. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease“preventive medicine”“vaccines are prophylactic”“a prophylactic drug”Synonyms: preventativeprophylactic
  2. tending to prevent or hinderSynonyms: preventative
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]ventif.]

1.Going before; preceding. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Any previous counsel or preventive understanding.— Cudworth.[1913 Webster]

2.Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease. [1913 Webster]

Physic is either curative or preventive.— Sir T. Browne.[1913 Webster]

Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling. [Eng] [1913 Webster]

Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, n. That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic. [1913 Webster]
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