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preventive

1. Going before; preceding. Any previous counsel or preventive understanding. (Cudworth)

2. Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease. Physic is either curative or preventive. (Sir T. Browne) Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling.

Origin: Cf. F. Preventif.

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