The art of preserving from, or of preventing, disease; the observance of the rules necessary for the preservation of health; preservative or preventive treatment. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

prophylaxis, n. (pl. prophylaxes) preventive treatment against disease.

Etymology

mod.L f. PRO-(2) + Gk phulaxis act of guarding

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THESAURUS

prophylaxis

active treatment, adjuvant treatment, antigen treatment, causal treatment, conservative treatment, cross-firing, diathermic treatment, dietetic treatment, drip treatment, drug treatment, empiric treatment, epidemiology, expectant treatment, fever treatment, health physics, heat treatment, hot-air treatment, hygiene, hygienics, light treatment, mental hygiene, palliative treatment, perennial treatment, preseasonal treatment, preventive dentistry, preventive medicine, preventive treatment, prophylactic psychology, prophylactodontia, prophylaxy, public health, radiotherapeutic treatment, rational treatment, sanitation, shock treatment, specific treatment, starvation treatment, supporting treatment, surgical treatment, symptomatic treatment, tonic treatment, vibration treatment

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ROGET THESAURUS

prophylaxis

Preservation

N preservation, safe-keeping, conservation, maintenance, support, susteritation, conservatism, vis conservatrix, salvation, prophylaxis, preserver, preservative, additive, antibiotics, antifungals, biocide, hygiastics, hygiantics, cover, drugget, cordon sanitaire, canning, ensilage, tinned goods, canned goods, snake oil, spider webs, cure-all, laetrile, charm, preserving, conservative, prophylactic, preservatory, preservative, hygienic, preserved, unimpaired, unbroken, uninjured, unhurt, unsinged, unmarred, safe, safe and sound, intact, with a whole skin, nolumus leges Angliae mutari.

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