I. di-ˈfen(t)-siv, ˈdē-ˌ adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : serving to defend or protect
defensive fortifications
2.
a. : devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
defensive behavior
b. : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
a player with good defensive skills
3.
a. : valuable in defensive play
a defensive card in bridge
b. : designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder
a defensive bid
• de·fen·sive·ly adverb
• de·fen·sive·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 1601
: a defensive position
•
- on the defensive