Category:Preventive

Pre*vent"ive, a. Etym: [cf. F. préventif.]

1. Going before; preceding. [obs.] Any previous counsel or preventive understanding. Cudworth.

2. Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; As, a medicine preventive of disease. Physic is either curative or preventive. Sir t. Browne. Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in Guarding the coast against smuggling. [eng]

Preventive Pre*vent"ive, n.

Defn: that which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which Intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a Prophylactic.