1. (

• preventive ,
• preventative ,
• prophylactic ,

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

2. (

• hindrance ,
• hinderance ,
• hitch ,
• preventive ,
• preventative ,
• encumbrance ,
• incumbrance ,
• interference

) any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome ;

3. (

• contraceptive ,
• preventive ,
• preventative ,
• contraceptive_device ,
• prophylactic_device ,
• birth_control_device

) an agent or device intended to prevent conception ;

1. (

• preventive ,
• preventative ,
• prophylactic

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

2. (

• preventive ,
• preventative

) tending to prevent or hinder ;