[mass noun]action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means or against a specified disease (尤与指明的方法或疾病连用)预防,预防法 the treatment and prophylaxis of angina pectoris. 心绞痛的治疗和预防。
语源
mid 19th cent.: modern Latin, from pro- 'before' + Greek phulaxis 'act of guarding'