About The Word Defensive

Bay Area Crosswords

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Defensive

Defensive Meaning & Definition
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

\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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