[pre.ven.tive] n (ca. 1639): something that prevents; esp: something used to prevent disease
[2]preventive adj (1639) 1: devoted to or concerned with prevention: precautionary "~ steps against soil erosion"
2: undertaken to forestall anticipated hostile action "a ~ coup" -- pre.ven.tive.ly adv -- pre.ven.tive.ness n