Which prefix means 'against' used in contraceptives?

Which prefix means 'against' used in contraceptives?

• A. An-
• B. Contra-
• C. Anti-
• D. Endo-

Answer: (B)

Understanding how prefixes shape medical terms helps decode meanings quickly. The prefix that means against is contra-, coming from Latin. In contraception, the term contraception combines contra- with conception, literally signaling against conception. That connection makes contra- the natural choice for describing birth-control concepts and products. Anti- also means against, but in medical terminology the established word form used for birth control is contraception, which uses contra- rather than anti-. The other prefixes, like an-, which means not or without, or endo-, meaning within, don’t fit the intended sense of opposing conception.

Understanding how prefixes shape medical terms helps decode meanings quickly. The prefix that means against is contra-, coming from Latin. In contraception, the term contraception combines contra- with conception, literally signaling against conception. That connection makes contra- the natural choice for describing birth-control concepts and products.

Anti- also means against, but in medical terminology the established word form used for birth control is contraception, which uses contra- rather than anti-. The other prefixes, like an-, which means not or without, or endo-, meaning within, don’t fit the intended sense of opposing conception.