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7 dictionary results for: defensive
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
de·fen·sive       [di-fen-siv] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.serving to defend; protective: defensive armament.
2.made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack: defensive treaty; a defensive attitude.
3.of or pertaining to defense.
4.(of stocks, securities, etc.)
a.able to provide moderately steady growth with minimal risk: The bank has put a large percentage of its assets in defensive rather than growth stocks.
b.considered stable and relatively safe for investment, esp. during a decline in the economy.
5.excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings.
–noun
6.a position or attitude of defense: to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.
7.Obsolete. something that serves to defend.
[Origin: 1350–1400; < ML défénsīvus (see defense, -ive); r. ME defensif < MF < ML, as above]

—Related forms
de·fen·sive·ly, adverb
de·fen·sive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
de·fen·sive       (dĭ-fěn'sĭv)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
  1. Intended or appropriate for defending; protective.
    1. Intended to withstand or deter aggression or attack: a defensive weapons system; defensive behavior.
    2. Of or relating to the effort to prevent an opponent from gaining points in a game or athletic contest.
    3. Performed so as to avoid risk, danger, or legal liability: defensive driving; defensive medicine,
  3. Of or relating to defense.
  4. Psychology Constantly protecting oneself from criticism, exposure of one's shortcomings, or other real or perceived threats to the ego.

n.  
  1. A means of defense.
  2. An attitude or position of defense.

de·fen'sive·ly adv., de·fen'sive·ness n.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
defensive

adjective
1. intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" [ant: offensive] 
2. attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing 

noun
1. an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive') 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

defensive

see on the defensive.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: de·fen·sive
Function: adjective
1 : serving to defend or as part of a defense defensive pleading>
2 : devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions defensive recapitalization…to escape a takeover attempt —Barbara Franklin> —de·fen·sive·ly adverb

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Defensive

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Defensive

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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