— prophylactically , adv.
/proh'feuh lak"tik, prof'euh-/ , adj.
1. defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.
2. preventive or protective.
n.
3. Med. a prophylactic medicine or measure.
4. a preventive.
5. a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.
[ 1565-75; prophylaktikós of guarding, equiv. to prophylak- (base of prophylássein to guard beforehand) + -tikos -TIC. See PROPHYLAXIS ]