Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Defensive
De-fen′sive
,Adj.
[Cf. F.
défensif
.] 1.
Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive;
as,
. defensive
armorA moat
defensive
to a house. Shakespeare
2.
Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; – opposed to offensive;
as,
. defensive
war3.
In a state or posture of defense.
Milton.
De-fen′sive
,Noun.
That which defends; a safeguard.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true
defensives
. Bacon.
To be on the defensive
, To stand on the defensive
to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack.
Webster 1828 Edition
Defensive
DEFENSIVE
, a.1.
That serves to defend; proper for defense; as defensive armor, which repels attacks or blows, opposed to offensive arms, which are used in attack.2.
Carried on in resisting attack or aggression; as defensive war, in distinction from offensive war, which is aggressive.3.
In a state or posture to defend.DEFENSIVE
,Noun.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives.
To be on the defensive, or to stand on the defensive, is to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggrression or attack.
Definition 2024
Defensive
Defensive
German
Noun
Defensive f
- defensive (means, attitude or position of defense)
Antonyms
Synonyms
- Verteidigungsstellung
defensive
defensive
English
Adjective
defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive)
- Intended for defence; protective.
- a defensive perimeter
- Intended to deter attack.
- a defensive missile system
- Performed so as to minimise risk.
- defensive driving
- Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism.
- (cricket) Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.
- (sports) Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
- 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
- The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.
-
- In a state or posture of defense.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)
Antonyms
Translations
intended for defence; protective
Noun
defensive (plural defensives)
Translations
means, attitude or position