defensive

[ dih-fen-siv ]
/ dɪˈfɛn sɪv /

adjective

noun

a position or attitude of defense: to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.
Obsolete. something that serves to defend.

Origin of defensive

1350–1400; < Medieval Latin dēfēnsīvus (see defense, -ive); replacing Middle English defensif < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM defensive

Words nearby defensive

defenestration, defense, defense mechanism, defenseman, defensible, defensive, defensive back, defensive circle, defensive driving, defensive medicine, defer

Example sentences from the Web for defensiveness

British Dictionary definitions for defensiveness

defensive
/ (dɪˈfɛnsɪv) /

adjective

intended, suitable, or done for defence, as opposed to offence
rejecting criticisms of oneself or covering up one's failings

noun

a position of defence
on the defensive in an attitude or position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism

Derived forms of defensive

defensively, adverb defensiveness, noun

Idioms and Phrases with defensiveness

defensive

see on the defensive.