Defensive
Defensive , adjective
[Compare French défensif.]
1.
Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor.
A moat defensive to a house.
2.
Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed to offensive; as, defensive war.
3.
In a state or posture of defense. — Milton
Defensive , noun
That which defends; a safeguard.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives.
Collocations (1)
To be on the defensive or To stand on the defensive , to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack.