browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about defensive
defensive |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: defensive adj 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 [syn: {excusatory}, {justificative}, {justificatory}] 3: serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting; "defensive fortifications"; "defensive dikes to protect against floods" n : an attitude of defense; especially in the phrase "on the defensive" [syn: {defensive attitude}]
more about defensive
This work is licensed under a
