PREVENTIVE


Meaning of PREVENTIVE in English

I. prēˈventiv, prə̇ˈ-, -tēv also -təv noun

( -s )

Etymology: prevent + -ive, n. suffix

: something that prevents or is preventive ; specifically : something taken to prevent disease : prophylactic

II. adjective

Etymology: prevent + -ive, adjective suffix

1. : making or aiming to make unlikely or impossible : devoted to or concerned with prevention : precautionary

a preventive measure against rats

preventive steps against soil erosion

preventive penology

2. : undertaken in order to forestall or ward off hostile action

preventive war

knock out the enemy air force with a quick preventive thrust

• pre·ven·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb

• pre·ven·tive·ness -tivnə̇s, -tēv- also -təv- noun -es

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.