Pre‐vent″ive (?), a. [Cf. F. préventif.] 1. Going before; preceding.
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. Sir T. Browne.
Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling.