pro·tec·tive

[pruh-tek-tiv]
adjective
1.
having the quality or function of protecting: a protective covering.
2.
tending to protect.
3.
Economics. of, pertaining to, or designed to favor protectionism: protective tariffs.
4.
defensive ( def 4 ).

Origin:
1655–65; protect + -ive

pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
pro·tec·tive·ness, noun
non·pro·tec·tive, adjective
non·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
sem·i·pro·tec·tive, adjective
sem·i·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
un·pro·tec·tive, adjective
un·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To protective
00:10
Protective is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Collins
World English Dictionary
protective (prəˈtɛktɪv) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  giving or capable of giving protection
2.  economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries
 
n
3.  something that protects
4.  a condom
 
pro'tectively
 
adv
 
pro'tectiveness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Dogs are not equipped with the protective enzymes that allow humans to imbibe
  reasonable amounts of alcohol without harm.
The industry argues that this carries little risk of pleural mesothelioma, a
  cancer of the lungs' protective lining.
Intelligence might turn up anywhere it aids survival-in the use of protective
  coloring or the ability to molt, for instance.
They would be displayed in a way that would be instructive to a large public,
  as well as protective of the objects themselves.
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