Pre·vent·ive a.
1. Going before; preceding. [Obs.]
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. [Eng]