[ ˌprɒfɪ'laktɪk ]
■ adjective intended to prevent disease.
■ noun
1》 a preventative medicine or course of action.
2》 N. Amer. a condom.
Derivatives
~ally adverb
Origin
C16: from Fr. prophylactique , from Gk prophulaktikos , from pro 'before' + phulassein 'to guard'.