Preventive

Part of speech: noun (n.)

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

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Going before; preceding. [Obs.] 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. [Eng]