prophylactic, a. and n.
(prɒfɪˈlæktɪk)
[ad. Gr. προϕυλακτικ-ός, f. προϕυλάσσειν to keep guard before: see pro-2 and phylactic. So F. prophylactique (16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
A. adj. Med. That defends from or tends to prevent disease; also transf. preservative, precautionary.
| 1574 J. Jones Nat. Beginning Grow. Things 45 Prophilacticke that preuenteth diseases. 1605 Daniel Queen's Arcadia iii. ii, Yoo haue not very carefull beene, T' obserue the prophilactick regiment Of your owne body. 1661 in Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Prophylactic. 1725 Watts Logic i. vi. §10 Medicine is justly distributed into prophylactick, or the art of preserving health; and therapeutick, or the art of restoring health. 1742 W. Stukeley in Mem. (Surtees) I. 326 An amuletick, averruncative or prophylactick symbol. 1798 W. Blair Soldier's Friend 2 Steady enforcement of proper prophylactic regulations. 1866 Lond. Rev. 17 Feb. 189/2 [Vaccination] does seem to have exercised a prophylactic or modifying influence. 1889 J. R. Illingworth in Lux Mundi iii. 118 With men, as with animals, suffering is largely prophylactic. |
B. n. a. A medicine or measure used to prevent, or as a precaution against, disease. Also transf.
| 1642 Preparative for Fast 13 Weare it as a Prophylactick about thee. 1777 G. Forster Voy. round World I. 53 It is one of the best prophylactics against the sea-scurvy. 1828 Blackw. Mag. XXIII. 302 A serpent's skin is still looked upon in Egypt as a prophylactic against complaints of the head. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 657 Vaccination, which has now stood the test of practice for a century, remains to-day one of the greatest medical prophylactics the world has ever known. |
b. A condom.
Condoms were formerly used more for their prophylactic properties against venereal disease than for their contraceptive properties.
| 1943 [see preventive n. c]. 1950 ‘D. Divine’ King of Fassarai xviii. 143 ‘What were you doing before this?’ ‘Handin' out prophylactics in Baltimore.’ 1964 G. McDonald Running Scared v. 73 Prophylactics made them [sc. women] more willing... People could have intercourse..without restraint. 1972 C. Potok My Name is Asher Lev iii. x. 259 Along the..beach lay..beer cans, bits of paper, a prophylactic. 1975 Listener 27 Nov. 728/3 The GI wore his packet of prophylactics in his cap and propositioned every woman in sight. |