defensive
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
defensive/dɪˈfensɪv/
▶adjective
- 1 used or intended to defend or protect.
■ (in sport) relating to or intended as defence.
- 2 very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism.
– phrases
on the defensive expecting or resisting criticism or attack.
on the defensive expecting or resisting criticism or attack.
– derivatives
defensively adverb,
defensiveness noun.
defensively adverb,
defensiveness noun.
'defensive' also found in these Oxford entries:
back
- backcourt
- barbed wire
- blitz
- bulwark
- circle
- clearance
- cornerback
- corral
- defence
- destroyer
- dismantle
- double play
- drop
- end run
- fortification
- fortify
- free safety
- frilled lizard
- fullback
- guard
- hill fort
- linebacker
- man
- moat
- nose tackle
- peel
- perimeter
- pick
- porcupine
- rampart
- razor wire
- rearguard action
- safety
- sandbag
- scent gland
- self-defence
- siege mentality
- strongpoint
- triple play
- turn
- vallum
- Wehrmacht
- work
