chemopreventive
|chem-o-pre-ven-tive|
🇺🇸
/ˌkɛmoʊprɪˈvɛntɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌkɛməʊprɪˈvɛntɪv/
prevention of disease by chemicals
Etymology
'chemopreventive' originates from the combining form 'chemo-' (from Greek via Modern Latin/French) meaning 'chemical' or 'relating to chemistry' and the adjective 'preventive' from Latin 'praeventivus' (from 'praevenire') meaning 'to come before'.
'chemo-' comes from Greek 'khēmēia' (alchemy/chemistry) through Medieval Latin and French 'chimie', while 'preventive' derives from Latin 'praeventivus' (from 'praevenire'); the compound form 'chemopreventive' was formed in modern medical English by joining 'chemo-' + 'preventive' to describe chemical prevention, especially of cancer.
Initially, the elements meant 'relating to chemistry' and 'to come before' respectively; combined in modern usage they mean 'acting or used to prevent disease (esp. cancer) by chemical means'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent or substance that has chemopreventive properties; a drug or compound used to prevent cancer or other chemically preventable diseases.
Several chemopreventive are being evaluated in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy.
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Adjective 1
relating to the use of chemical agents to prevent disease, especially cancer; having properties that help prevent the development or progression of cancer.
Researchers are testing several chemopreventive compounds for their ability to reduce tumor formation.
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Last updated: 2025/10/17 22:49