[dɪˈfɛnsɪv], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- used or intended to defend or protect
(e.g: defensive barriers)

- very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism
(e.g: he was very defensive about that side of his life)


Phrases:
- on the defensive

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French défensif, -ive, from medieval Latin defensivus, from Latin defens- ‘warded off’, from the verb defendere (see defend)