n.
Pronunciation: ˌ pr ō -f ə - ' lak-tik also ˌ prä-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek prophylaktikos, from prophylassein to be on guard, from pro- before + phylassein to guard, from phylak-, phylax guard
Date: 1574
1 : guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
2 : tending to prevent or ward off : PREVENTIVE
– pro · phy · lac · ti · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb