Definitions for: Preventive


[n] an agent or device intended to prevent conception
[n] any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
[n] remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives"
[adj] preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug"
[adj] tending to prevent or hinder
[adj] tending to ward off; "the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples"- Victor Schultze



Webster (1913) Definition: Pre*vent"ive, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]ventif.]
1. Going before; preceding. [Obs.]

Any previous counsel or preventive understanding.
--Cudworth.

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

Physic is either curative or preventive. --Sir T.
Browne.

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


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

Synonyms: birth control device, blockading, cautionary, clogging, contraceptive, contraceptive device, deterrent, encumbrance, frustrating, frustrative, healthful, hindering, hindrance, hitch, impeding, incumbrance, interference, obstructive, obviating(a), precautional, precautionary, preclusive, preemptive, preventative, preventative, prohibitive, prohibitory, prophylactic, prophylactic device, thwarting

Antonyms: permissive

See Also: anovulant, anovulatory drug, birth control pill, cervical cap, clog, coil, condom, contraceptive diaphragm, contraceptive pill, curative, cure, device, diaphragm, impediment, impedimenta, intrauterine device, IUD, morning-after pill, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor, oral contraceptive, oral contraceptive pill, pessary, pill, prophylactic, protective, remedy, rubber, safe, safety, speed bump, spermatocide, spermicide

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