preventive (adj.)

  1. tending to prevent or hinder

    [ Syn: preventative ]

    preventive (n.)

  1. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; the doctor recommended several preventatives

    [ Syn: preventative , prophylactic ]

  2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

    [ Syn: hindrance , hinderance , hitch , preventative , encumbrance , incumbrance , interference ]

  3. an agent or device intended to prevent conception

    [ Syn: contraceptive , preventative , contraceptive device , prophylactic device , birth control device ]

    preventive (adj.)

  1. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; preventive medicine; vaccines are prophylactic; a prophylactic drug

    [ Syn: preventative , prophylactic ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.