defensive

From Middle French défensif

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

• Audio (AU)

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defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive)

1. Intended for defence; protective.

   a defensive perimeter

2. Intended to deter attack.

   a defensive missile system

3. Performed so as to minimise risk.

   defensive driving

4. Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion.
5. (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.
6. (chiefly sports) Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.

   The victim held up his hand to repel the attacker and received a defensive knife wound.

   • 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.

7. In a state or posture of defense.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)

• offensive

defensive (plural defensives)

1. A means, attitude or position of defense.
   • 2007 May 26, Julia Werdigier, “Consolidating the Banks of Europe”, in New York Times‎:

     Such kinds of defensives are really rather protecting the local companies than the consumers.

• on the defensive

defensive

1. inflection of defensiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

dēfēnsive

1. vocative masculine singular of dēfēnsivus