English Dictionary

prophylactic

/pɹɒfəˈlæktɪk/

noun

A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive. / (US, specifically) A prophylactic condom. / (figuratively) Any device or mechanism intended to prevent harmful consequences.

I always carry a prophylactic with me when I travel.

意味（1）

A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive.

意味（2）

(US, specifically) A prophylactic condom.

It is not clear whether such education is to be directed to homosexuals (for whom prophylactics are not a contraceptive) or to heterosexuals as well (for whom prophylactics are a contraceptive).

意味（3）

(figuratively) Any device or mechanism intended to prevent harmful consequences.

The securities laws are a prophylactic against stock fraud.