Prophylactic

Definitions

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

Equivalents

Examples

“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).”

“Given the widespread use⟳ of coitus interruptus and male prophylactics as contraceptive practices in France […]”

“Some men put⟳ the prophylactic on just the tip⟳ of the penis: this is a mistake⟳, because the prophylactic will come⟳ off.”

“The securities laws are a prophylactic against stock⟳ fraud.”

“Since tere are increasingly powerful anti-free speech tendencies in the left in general and in the Lesbian and Gay movements in particular in the form⟳ of the antiporn movement and other tendencies, I will quote extensively from the second chapter of On Liberty, "On The Liberty Of Thought And Discussion," as a valuable and much needed prophylactic to these trends.”

CEFR level