preventiveadj.n.
/prᵻˈvɛntɪv/, U.S. /priˈvɛn(t)ɪv/, /prəˈvɛn(t)ɪv/ A. adj.† 2. That comes or occurs before something else; antecedent, anticipatory. Obsolete.† 3. Nautical. Designating a rope or other piece of equipment used as a preventer (preventer n. 3). Obsolete.
1.
a. That prevents or guards against the occurrence of something; precautionary; acting as a hindrance or obstacle. Cf. preventative adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > [adjective]
checking1548
preclusory1609
preclusivea1626
preventivea1626
preventional1647
preventative1655
prevential1657
prohibitory1767
prohibitive1811
a1626 F. Bacon Considerations Warre with Spain (1629) 2 Warres preuentiue vpon just feares, are true defensiues, as well as vpon actuall inuasions.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre i. ix. 14 A preventive warre grounded on a just fear of an invasion is lawfull.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. xviii. 251 This preventive justice consists in obliging those persons, whom there is probable ground to suspect of future misbehaviour, to..give full assurance to the public, that such offence as is apprehended shall not happen.
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. xvi. 220 An offence against..the preventive branch of the police.
1822 C. Ellis Clergyman's Assist. 325 (heading) Statutes preventive of blasphemy and profaneness.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 111 The preventive nature of punishment.
1918 E. Pound Let. 15 Nov. (1971) 140 Similar preventive arrests would have prevented the Easter rising.
1958 New Statesman 15 Mar. 328/2 Since there is no ‘preventive censorship’, a paper which incurs the wrath of the government risks losing its entire press-run.
1993 Outdoor Canada Mar. 42/2 But despite the best preventive steps, breakdowns can still occur.
b. Medicine. Protecting against or preventing disease; prophylactic; = preventative adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > types of treatment generally > [adjective] > preventative
euectic1574
prophylactic1574
prophylactical1598
preventing1601
preventive1646
preventative1714
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. xiii. 230 Physicke is either curative or preventive . View more context for this quotation
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 36 Posts of Houses..were plaster'd over with Doctors Bills..set off, with such flourishes as these, (viz.) Infallible preventive Pills against the Plague.
1781 H. Smythson Compl. Family Physician 83/1 By way of preventive medicine, a piece of rhubarb chewed now and then..will be found extremely useful.
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 20 May 7/2 The celebrated scientist hopes..that the dogs inoculated by him with preventive virus will prove the correctness of his investigations.
1925 Woman's World (Chicago) Apr. 72/1 (advt.) Many dread diseases are traceable to tooth decay. Because of this, preventive dentistry is sweeping the United States.
1989 W. E. Steslicke in M. G. Field Success & Crisis in National Health Systems iv. 108 Control of communicable diseases including preventive vaccinations.
c. Of the coastguard or a coastguard officer: concerned with the prevention of smuggling. Now chiefly historical. Cf. preventative adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [adjective] > belonging to force preventing smuggling
preventive1708
preventing1780
preventative1860
1708 J. Chamberlayne Gen. List Offices & Officers i. iv, in Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (ed. 22) 562 Preventive Officer..[£]40.
1794 C. Stedman Hist. Amer. War I. (front matter) 63 Before she was entered at the custom-house, the master of the vessel, having in vain tampered with the preventive officer to obtain his permission, at last forcibly locked him up in the cabin.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham I. vii. 46 After having met..one officer on the preventive service.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger VI. i. i. 7 The Preventive Service..To prevent prohibited goods being brought on shore; to prevent smugglers' boats from landing.
1873 Mrs. H. Wood Master of Greylands I. 31 The heights were tolerably flat, and..the preventive men were enabled to pace.
1884 D. Pae Eustace 222 Preventive stations were planted at every harbour or likely landing-place.
1977 South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) 22 July 9/1 In the past week or two, the Preventive Service has made two large seizures of drugs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]
ererc888
fernOE
oldOE
oldOE
formerc1160
ratherc1330
before-goingc1384
formerc1384
forenexta1400
formea1400
while1399
antecedentc1400
precedentc1400
anteceding?a1425
late1446
whilom1452
preceding?a1475
forne1485
fore1490
heretofore1491
foregoing1530
toforegoing1532
further1557
firster1571
then1584
elder1594
quondam1598
forehand1600
previant1601
preallable1603
prior1607
anterior1608
previal1613
once1620
previous1621
predecessivea1627
antecedaneous?1631
preventive1641
prior1641
precedaneous1645
preventional1649
antegredient1652
senior1655
prevenient1656
precedential1661
antecedental1763
past-gone1784
antevenient1800
aforetime1835
one-time1850
onewhile1882
foretime1894
erstwhile1903
antecedane-
ere-
1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 36 A preventive fear least the omitting of this duty should be against me when I would store up to my self the good provision of peacefull hours.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. ii. 73 Atoms..were not then directed by any previous Counsel or preventive Understanding.
1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 147 The First is previous to our Repentance, and indeed wholely preventive of any thing we can do.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > rigging > [adjective] > moving or working (of rigging) > of the nature of preventer
preventive1831
1831 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal I. 110 When the blocks were made secure to the chain, two capstans and also two preventive capstans commenced working.
1846 Times 22 Jan. 8/3 The evidence led him to believe that the order for cutting away the preventive stay of the launch had been given.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 19 What is the use of yard tackles? For hoisting in and out boats and spars,..and for preventive braces.
1872 Daily News 12 Aug. 2/4 A seaman, told to ‘stand by’ the preventive back stay in readiness for gybing, had let it go.
B. n.
1. A preventive or precautionary agent or measure; a means of prevention; a hindrance, an obstacle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > [noun] > that which
lockeOE
floodgatec1230
stopc1508
staya1533
snub1581
prevention1584
embarment1606
allay1607
spar1614
counterchecka1616
gag1618
preventivea1639
check1661
preventative1691
embargo1692
closed door1934
policeman1951
block-
a1639 H. Wotton Let. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 487 Though it be a natural preventive to some evils.
1667 G. Digby Elvira ii. 18 Let us apply our thoughts to best preventives.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. i. 10 Where the evil to be prevented is not adequate to the violence of the preventive, a sovereign that thinks seriously can never justify such a law.
1788 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in Rural Econ. Yorks. II. 351 To Sidelong, to fetter, as a preventive from straying.
1820 C. R. Maturin Melmoth Wanderer IV. xxvii. 199 That..was an equal preventive against his feeling any deep or bitter grief on his dissolution.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 747 These [beverages]..are in most people powerful preventives of sleep.
1945 C. E. Balleisen Princ. Firearms x. 102 The use of Cosmolene or Rust Preventive No. 2 by the U.S. Army in this connection is well known.
1994 Harrowsmith Country Life Dec. 12/4 These [high frequency whistles] are also available at some truck stops in northern Ontario, but most observers agree that slowing down is the best preventive.
2. Medicine. A drug, foodstuff, procedure, etc., used to protect against or prevent disease. With against, of; also (rare) for.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > prophylactic medicine > [noun]
preservativec1425
preservationc1475
prophylactic?1541
preserve1554
preservatory1654
preventive1666
preventative1699
phylactic1711
toxoid1900
1666 G. Harvey Morbus Anglicus 213 [The Ancients] thought it a great preventive to drink strong Wine once a month to that excess, as should force nature to return it both wayes.
1674 R. Godfrey Var. Injuries in Physick 203 Yet would I not have you think there are no Preventives, or means to preserve Health for the future.
1769 W. Buchan Domest. Med. ii. 533 When used as a preventive, it will be sufficient to rub daily a dram of the ointment into the parts about the wound.
c1780 Rep. Committee Ho. Comm. (1802) 14 178 It was in the month of May 1780 that Dr. Jenner first informed him of the particular nature of the cow pox as a sure preventive of small pox.
1871 G. H. Napheys Prevention & Cure Dis. i. viii. 237 A more potent preventive has been found.
1925 E. A. Powell Map that is Half Unrolled xiii. 253 Whether quinine should be taken as a preventive of fever is one of those controversial questions.
1967 Times 28 Dec. 7/3 When I first started spraying my pastures with magnesium sulphate as a preventive against grass tetany.
1992 Sci. News 25 Jan. 60/2 EGF ‘may prove useful’ as a topical preventive for hair loss among cancer patients.
3. A contraceptive. Cf. preventative n. 3, prophylactic n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > contraception or birth control > [noun] > a contraceptive
preventive1822
contraceptive1891
preventative1901
precaution1935
protection1960
1822 F. Place Illustr. & Proofs Princ. Population v. 150 The proposals of Mr. Malthus, to persuade the poor that they have no right to eat.., as well as Mr. Godwin's infanticide, are..proposals to commence at the wrong end. The remedy alone can be found in preventives.
1901 E. B. Foote Home Cycl. iv. vii. 1137 To lessen the ‘vicious employment of preventives’ outside of marriage.
1943 R. Malkin Marriage, Morals & War 159 Lieutenant Colonel Gardner..gave happy birth to the idea of a pamphlet explaining venereal diseases, which..would be sold together with a set of preventives and prophylactics.
1961 A. H. Nethercot First Five Lives A. Besant vii. 117 Before marriage, pure will power and moral determination were to be the only preventives. Physical preventives were..against the will of God.
1990 Toronto Star (Nexis) 11 Feb. b2 ‘Lots of people change their behavior when they go on vacation,’ was the rationale given for this handout of preventives.
Compounds
preventive custody n. custody of a person accused of a crime and awaiting trial; remand; (also) = preventive detention n.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [noun] > custody > type of
free keeping1483
free ward1538
bail1581
preventive detention1858
preventive custody1897
P.D.1956
1897 Middleton (N.Y.) Daily Argus 6 Feb. The court..sentenced the prisoner to nine months' imprisonment, the seven months in which Kneebs has been in preventive custody to be considered as part of the sentence.
1931 Times 25 Feb. 15/7 The offender shall be detained for a period not exceeding 10 years in preventive custody.
1998 Hindu (Nexis) 6 Dec. Mr. Karunanidhi said that only those suspected to be indulging in militant activities were being taken into preventive custody.
preventive detention n. the detention of a known or suspected criminal or political dissident in order to prevent further crime, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > as precautionary measure
preventive detention1858
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [noun] > custody > type of
free keeping1483
free ward1538
bail1581
preventive detention1858
preventive custody1897
P.D.1956
1858 Times 18 Feb. 9/4 The Government has the right to throw them into prison, and to leave them there whole months under preventive detention.
1959 Listener 16 Apr. 674/1 Southern Rhodesian Government publishes a new preventive detention bill.
1989 B. Head Tales Tenderness & Power (1990) 112 Two days later university students demonstrated outside the palatial mansion of the President for the release of Professor Okola from preventive detention.
preventive diplomacy n. Politics an approach to diplomacy which seeks specifically to prevent the start or escalation of violent conflict; the methods by which this is achieved; cf. preventive war n.
ΚΠ
1903 J. Morley Life Gladstone II. vi. ix. 413 The treaty of Washington and the Geneva arbitration stand out as the most notable victory of the nineteenth century of the noble art of preventive diplomacy.
1938 Times 23 Sept. 13/3 Mr. Churchill preaches the preventive war, while the Prime Minister practises preventive diplomacy.
2004 Burlington (Vermont) Free Press (Nexis) 7 June 5 a Questioning of why we can't learn preventive diplomacy and solve problems peacefully, without killing innocent people.
preventive maintenance n. routine maintenance of a vehicle or other machine, intended to prevent problems from arising.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [noun] > preservation in being or maintenance > preserving in proper condition
keepingc1330
upholdinga1350
maintaininga1387
maintenance1389
reparation1389
uphold1471
maintain1483
repair1524
keep1763
upkeep1884
upkeeping1899
preventive maintenance1937
1937 Times 16 Jan. 6/6 The booklet outlines a scheme of preventive maintenance, by which Morris owners may obtain periodical inspection and adjustment services.
1953 B. V. Bowden Faster than Thought iv. 86 The technique of preventive maintenance..has considerably reduced the number of valve failures which occur while the machines are running.
1991 Mech. Engin. Sept. 49/2 The new control..is designed to accept future developments such as improved diagnostics, expert systems, and preventive maintenance packages.
preventive medicine n. (a) a preventive medicinal agent; also figurative; (b) the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention of disease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > art or science of medicine > [noun] > preventive medicine
preventive medicine1870
1683 S. Pordage tr. T. Willis Two Disc. Soul of Brutes ii. viii. 156 Thus much concerning the causes of the accidental and sudden Apoplexy, which falls indifferently upon all men, though not at all predisposed: for which also there can be no preventive Medicines [L. prophylaxis] instituted, and it is rarely that it is cured.
1769 W. Buchan Domest. Med. ii. 531 Dr Mead recommends a preventive medicine.
1819 Times 25 Aug. 2/1 The King early yesterday morning took a preventive medicine.
1870 Food Jrnl. Feb. 22 Preventive medicine received a great impulse by the labours of Coleman in relation to ventilation.
1990 Internat. Jrnl. Epidemiol. 19 780/1 The first rule in preventive medicine must be to do more good than harm.
2003 Washington Post 1 July (Home ed.) f6/3 My daughter..has been stabilized on topiramate (Topamax) as a preventive medicine.
preventive war n. a war initiated by one state, faction, etc., in anticipation of (suspected) hostile intentions on the part of another.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > war > types of war > [noun] > other types of war
just war1485
private war1548
preventive wara1626
angelomachy1635
Titanomachy1739
mountain warfarec1800
border-war1809
world war1848
theomachy1858
trench warfare1887
electronic warfare1946
asymmetric conflict1975
cyberwar1992
asymmetrical warfare1995
a1626 F. Bacon Cert. Misc. Wks. (1629) 21 A iust Feare will be a iust Cause of a Preuentiue War.
1702 Reasons for War with France & Spain 19 A War which is Necessary, is Just; and if a Preventive War be Necessary..it is also Just.
1887 Times 7 Feb. 5/3 At the end of the 19th century a preventive war cannot be justified on the ground that the other nation might later on think itself able to fight and do so.
1948 H. Nicolson Diary 29 Nov. (1968) 155 A preventive war is always evil.
1995 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 30 May 6 Any tension or Syrian concentration of forces would require an immediate decision on whether to launch a preventive war.
Derivatives
preˈventiveness n.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Preventiveness, the quality of being preventive; capability of preventing or hindering.
1921 Port Arthur (Texas) Daily News 22 Oct. 4/2 Vaccination is a form of health insurance that pays many thousands of dividends in preventiveness.
1993 Chem. Week (Nexis) 15 Dec. 6 We understand the benefits in terms of efficiency, preventiveness, and predictability that come from adherence to a national standard.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.a1626