SYN: prophylactic (1). [L. prae-venio, pp. -ventus, to come before, prevent]
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pre·ven·tive -'vent-iv n something (as a drug) used to prevent disease
preventive adj devoted to or concerned with the prevention of disease <\preventive drug therapy> <\preventive psychiatry>
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pre·ven·tive (pre-venґtiv) 1. serving to avert the occurrence of something. 2. prophylactic (def. 1).Medical dictionary. 2011.