preventive
pronunciation
How to pronounce preventive in British English:
UK [prɪˈventɪv]
How to pronounce preventive in American English:
US [prɪˈvɛntɪv]
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- Noun:
- remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
- any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
- an agent or device intended to prevent conception
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- Adjective:
- preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
- tending to prevent or hinder
- tending to ward off
Word Origin
- preventive (adj.)
- 1630s, from Latin praevent-, past participle stem of praevenire (see prevent), + -ive. As a noun, from 1630s; in medical use from 1670s.
Example
- 1. " These results are valuable for preventive medicine , " toker notes . "
- 2. Even preventive medicine now has to rely on fees .
- 3. Male circumcision probably has little or no preventive benefit for women .
- 4. The government made formal recommendations about preventive vaccination .
- 5. Eat well and stay active -- brisk walks are an effective diabetes preventive .