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Precaution vs Prophylaxis - What's the difference?

precaution | prophylaxis |

As nouns the difference between precaution and prophylaxis

is that precaution is precaution while prophylaxis is (medicine) prevention of, or protective treatment for disease.

precaution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
  • * John Henry Newman
    • The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution .
  • A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.
    • to take precautions against risks of accident

    Derived terms

    * precautionary

    See also

    * prevention

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive): To warn or caution beforehand. --.
  • (rare): To take precaution against. --.

    • prophylaxis

    English

    (wikipedia prophylaxis)

    Noun

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

    • Derived terms

    * prophylactic

    References

    *