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.