PREVENTIVE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Preventive

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/prɪvˈɛntɪv/ /privˈɛntɪv/ /prɪvˈɛnɪv/ /privˈɛnɪv/ Listen

adjective

Preventive adj.

Going before; preceding. (Obs.) "Any previous counsel or preventive understanding."

Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease. "Physic is either curative or preventive."

Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling. (Eng)

noun

Preventive n. That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic.

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Etymology of 'Preventive'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Preventive" Quotes from Famous Books

... attack of giggles coming on, but I stopped them by holding my breath, as you do for hiccoughs, and thinking about Job, which, if you can do it soon and solemnly enough, is quite a good preventive. I knew now exactly why Prince Dalmar-Kalm had dashed on his clothes at sight of me and come into the garden on an empty stomach. He had thought, if he could get me all alone for half an hour (which he'd often tried to do and never succeeded) he could find out a lot of things that he would ...

— My Friend the Chauffeur • C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson

... but carelessly locked at night. For Lad's presence downstairs was a better burglar-preventive than the best bolts ever forged. Tired and drowsy, the Master, this night, had neglected ...

— Further Adventures of Lad • Albert Payson Terhune

... home can adopt preventive measures, such as outside area ways or air spaces, impossible to the renter; but certain ounces of prevention are available to all. For instance: if drain pipes run through the cellar, have them examined often for leaks; if there is an open drain, wash ...

— The Complete Home • Various

... And if it spread among them, there is no security against its reaching those at last who take every possible care of themselves and none of their neighbours. You do not imagine, because I trust in God, and do not fear what the small-pox can do to me, I would therefore neglect any necessary preventive! That would be to tempt God: means as well as results are his. They are a way of giving us a share ...

— Weighed and Wanting • George MacDonald

... inventions are socialized and extended to benefit all. We are now entering the era of social achievement when mankind unitedly undertakes by organization and cooperation mightier tasks than ever accomplished before. Many dreadful diseases are disappearing before preventive medicine, and sanitary science is eliminating many plagues; pestilence is coming to be a thing of the past. Human welfare is now the concern of cooperative mankind, and social science will condemn ...

— Prize Orations of the Intercollegiate Peace Association • Intercollegiate Peace Association

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