Meaning of DEFENSIVE
| Pronunciation: | | di'fensiv
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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- [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"
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| | Synonyms: | | antiaircraft, antisubmarine, antitank, apologetic, defending, defensive attitude, en garde, excusatory, justificative, justificatory |
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| | Antonyms: | | offensive | | |
| | See Also: | | attitude, mental attitude, protective | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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\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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| Thesaurus Terms |
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| | Related Terms: | | 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 |
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