prophylaxis

From Latin, from Ancient Greek πρό (pró, “before”) + φύλαξις (phúlaxis, “a watching, guarding”).

• IPA^(key): /pɹɔfɪˈlæksɪs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æksɪs

prophylaxis (countable and uncountable, plural prophylaxes)

1. (medicine) Prevention of, or protective treatment for, disease.
2. (chess) A move or strategy that frustrates an opponent's plan or tactic.

• Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “prophylaxis”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.