prophylaxy

Noun

prophylaxis (countable and uncountable, plural prophylaxes)

1. The prevention of, or the protective treatment for, disease.
   • The role of statins in prophylaxis for cardiovascular disease is well supported by the medical literature.
   1. (sometimes, specifically) The cleaning of a patient's teeth.
      • We did his semiannual prophylaxis today, and his teeth and gums were found to be healthy.
   2. (sometimes, specifically) Protective measures against acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.
2. (broadly) Action that works to prevent some bad outcome.
   • The central bankers viewed these moves as prophylaxis against inflation.
   1. (broadly) A move or strategy that frustrates an opponent's plan or tactic.