English Dictionary: preventive | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for preventive | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, a. [Cf. F. pr[82]ventif.] 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] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, n. That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic. |