defensive : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: defensive	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for defensive
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
defensive adj intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" Antonym(s): offensive attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing Synonym(s): defensive, justificative, justificatory n an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive') Synonym(s): defensive, defensive attitude
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 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Defensive \Defen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d[82]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.