adj.1 done or intended for defence or to defend.
2 (of a person or attitude) concerned to challenge criticism.
Phrases and idioms:
on the defensive
1. expecting criticism.
2 in an attitude or position of defence.
Derivatives:
defensively adv. defensiveness n.
Etymology: ME f. F d{eacute}fensif -ive f. med.L defensivus (as DEFEND)