defensive

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

Adjective

defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive)

1. Intended for defence; protective
   • A defensive perimeter
2. Intended to deter attack
   • A defensive missile system
3. Performed so as to minimise risk
   • Defensive driving
4. Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism; compare paranoid
5. (cricket) Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs.; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.
6. (sports) pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
   • 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, BBC:

     The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.

Translations

intended for defence; protective

• Bulgarian: защитен (bg) (zaštiten), отбранителен (bg) (otbranitelen)
• Czech: obranný (cs) m

• Hungarian: védelmi (hu)
• Russian: оборонительный (ru) (oboronítel'nyj), защитный (ru) (zaščítnyj)

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

Translations to be checked

• French: défensif
• German: defensiv
• Greek: αμυντικός
• Spanish: defensivo

Noun

defensive (plural defensives)

1. A means, attitude or position of defense.
   • 2007 May 26, Julia Werdigier, “Consolidating the Banks of Europe”, New York Times:

     Such kinds of defensives are really rather protecting the local companies than the consumers.

Translations

• Bulgarian: отбрана
• Romanian: apărare

Related terms

• on the defensive

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Latin

Adjective

dēfensive

1. vocative masculine singular of dēfensivus