prophylaxis

[proh-fuh-lak-sis, prof-uh-] /ˌproʊ fəˈlæk sɪs, ˌprɒf ə-/

noun

Medicine/Medical.

the preventing of disease.
the prevention of a specific disease, as by studying the biological behavior, transmission, etc., of its causative agent and applying a series of measures against it.

prophylactic treatment, as the cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Origin

1835-45; < Neo-Latin < Greek pro- pro-² + phýlaxis a watching, guarding, equivalent to phylak- (base of phylássein to guard) + -sis -sis

Examples from the web for prophylaxis

Taking malaria prophylaxis makes more sense for those countries, depending on where the visitor is headed.
But prophylaxis works, by definition, on the healthy.
Puerperal fever came to be acknowledged to have one cause, an iatrogenic cause, absence of physician prophylaxis.
Using a hospital-based anesthesia adds thousands of dollars to the cost of a simple dental examination and prophylaxis.
But the fact that there is a new form of prophylaxis reopens old questions.
The dentist- the great profile-corrector and prophylaxis champion- is exposed as a secret gobbler of sweets.

British Dictionary definitions for prophylaxis

/ˌprɒfɪˈlæksɪs/

noun

the prevention of disease or control of its possible spread

Word Origin and History for prophylaxis

"preventive treatment of disease," 1746, Modern Latin, from Greek pro (see pro-) + phylaxis "a watching, guarding" (see prophylactic).

prophylaxis in Medicine

prophylaxis pro·phy·lax·is (prō'fə-lāk'sĭs, prŏf'ə-)
n. pl. pro·phy·lax·es (-lāk'sēz')
Prevention of or protective treatment for disease.