Preventive /(?)/

Pre·vent·ive

Preventive

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.

Phrases & Compounds

Preventive service
the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling.

Preventive

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