contraceptive
/ˈkɒn.tɹəˌsɛp.tɪv/ adjective, noun
Forms contraceptives
- adjective That acts to prevent conception as a result of sexual intercourse. “She was careful to take her contraceptive pill at the same time every day.”
- noun A mechanism or means by which conception as a result of sexual intercourse can be prevented or made less likely. “Putting a pig's bladder over one's penis before intercourse is not a good contraceptive.”
Synonyms
preventive preventative contraceptive device prophylactic device birth control device prophylactic antifertility
Etymology
Coined in the 20th century from contra- + conceptive; compare the related contraception.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “contraceptive”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details