[pro.phy.lac.tic] adj [Gk prophylaktikos, fr. prophylassein to be on guard, fr. pro- before + phylassein to guard, fr. phylak-, phylax guard] (1574) 1: guarding from or preventing disease
2: tending to prevent or ward off: preventive -- pro.phy.lac.ti.cal.ly adv
[2]prophylactic n (1642): something prophylactic; esp: a device and esp. a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception