Defensive Definition & Meaning | Bay Area Crosswords

About The Word Defensive

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Defensive

Defensive Definition And Meaning
What's The Definition Of Defensive? [n] an attitude of defense; especially in the phrase"on the defensive" [adj] intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" [adj] attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing [adj] serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting; "defensive fortifications"; "defensive dikes to protect against floods" Synonyms \| Synonyms for Defensive: antiaircraft \| antisubmarine \| antitank \| apologetic \| defending \| defensive attitude \| en garde \| excusatory \| justificative \| justificatory Related Terms \| Find terms related to Defensive: covering \| custodial \| defending \| fostering \| guardian \| guarding \| immunizing \| parental \| preventive \| prophylactic \| protecting \| protective \| safeguarding \| screening \| self-defensive \| self-preservative \| self-protective \| sheltering \| shielding \| tutelary \| vigilant \| watchful See Also \| attitude \| mental attitude \| protective Defensive In Webster's Dictionary \Defen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fensif.] 1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor. A moat defensive to a house. --Shak. 2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed to offensive; as, defensive war. 3. In a state or posture of defense. --Milton. \Defen"sive\, n. 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.

Defensive Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Defensive?

[n] an attitude of defense; especially in the phrase"on the defensive"
[adj] intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance"
[adj] attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
[adj] serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting; "defensive fortifications"; "defensive dikes to protect against floods"

See Also | attitude | mental attitude | protective

Defensive In Webster's Dictionary

\De*fen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fensif.]
1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed
   to offensive; as, defensive armor.

         A moat defensive to a house.          --Shak.

2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed
   to offensive; as, defensive war.

3. In a state or posture of defense. --Milton.


\De*fen"sive\, n.
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.

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