The word "contraceptive" is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k" because it comes from the Latin word "contra," which means "against." The "c" is pronounced as a "k" sound in IPA phonetic transcription. The letters "ce" towards the end of the word are pronounced as a "s" sound, while the letters "pt" in the middle of the word are pronounced as a silent "p." Overall, the IPA transcription for "contraceptive" is /kɒntrəˈseptɪv/.
A contraceptive, also known as birth control, refers to any method, device, medication, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy by interfering with the process of conception. The primary goal of contraceptives is to minimize or eliminate the chances of fertilization or implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus.
Contraceptives can be categorized into various types, including barrier methods, hormonal methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), emergency contraception, sterilization, and natural methods. Barrier methods involve the use of physical barriers like condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Hormonal methods involve the use of hormones, typically through oral pills, patches, injections, or implants. These alter the hormonal balance in the body to prevent ovulation or make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg. IUDs are small devices inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization or implantation. Emergency contraception, commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, is used as an emergency method to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Sterilization methods include procedures like vasectomy for males and tubal ligation for females, which permanently prevent pregnancy. Natural methods involve tracking menstrual cycles or monitoring fertility signs to avoid intercourse during fertile periods.
The use of contraceptives has significantly impacted society by facilitating family planning, empowering individuals to make choices regarding their reproductive health, and reducing unintended pregnancies. It is crucial to note that contraceptives do not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and additional methods, such as condoms, should be used to prevent transmission of STIs alongside contraceptives.
An agent for the prevention of conception.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "contraceptive" comes from the Latin word "contra" meaning "against" and "conceptus" which means "conceiving" or "conception". Combining these roots, "contra" + "conceptus", the term "contraceptive" was formed to refer to something that acts against or prevents conception or fertilization.