prophylaxis

== English == === Etymology === From Latin, from Ancient Greek πρό (pró, “before”) + φύλαξις (phúlaxis, “a watching, guarding”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /pɹɔfɪˈlæksɪs/ Rhymes: -æksɪs === Noun === prophylaxis (countable and uncountable, plural prophylaxes) (medicine) The prevention of, or the protective treatment for, disease. (sometimes specifically) The cleaning of a patient's teeth. Synonyms: prophy, dental (both informal) (sometimes specifically) Protective measures against acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. (by extension) Action that works to prevent some bad outcome. (chess) A move or strategy that frustrates an opponent's plan or tactic. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== References ==== Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “prophylaxis”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.