# defensive
## English
### Etymology

From Middle French défensif. Morphologically defense +‎ -ive.

### Pronunciation

* (UK, US, Canada) IPA: /dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/
** Audio (Texas):(file)
* (General Australian) IPA: /dɪˈfen.sɪv/
** Audio (General Australian):(file)

### Adjective

defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive)
* Intended for defence; protective.
    a defensive perimeter
* Intended to deter attack.
    a defensive missile system
* Performed so as to minimise risk.
    defensive driving
* Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion; oversensitive; thin-skinned.
* (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.
* (chiefly sports) Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
    The victim held up his hand to repel the attacker and received a defensive knife wound.
** 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in 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.
* In a state or posture of defense.
** 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, pages 63–64, lines 48–49:[…] Once join'd, the contrary ſhe proves, a thorn Inteſtin, far within defenſive arms […]

#### Antonyms

* offensive

#### Derived terms

* counterdefensive
* cyberdefensive
* defensive back
* defensive copy
* defensive copying
* defensive design
* defensive field
* defensive halfback
* defensive indifference
* defensive line
* defensive lineman
* defensive line of scrimmage
* defensively
* defensive medicine
* defensive midfielder
* defensiveness
* defensive programming
* defensive spiral
* defensive tackle
* defensive wound
* defensive zone
* hyperdefensive
* immunodefensive
* indefensive
* nondefensive
* offensive and defensive alliance
* overdefensive
* self-defensive
* undefensive

#### Translations

    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

### Noun

defensive (plural defensives)
* A means, attitude or position of defense.
** 2007 May 26, Julia Werdigier, “Consolidating the Banks of Europe”, in New York Times‎:Such kinds of defensives are really rather protecting the local companies than the consumers.

#### Translations
### Related terms

* defensive industry
* on the defensive

## German
### Pronunciation

* Audio:(file)

### Adjective

defensive
* inflection of defensiv:
** strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
** strong nominative/accusative plural
** weak nominative all-gender singular
** weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

## Latin
### Adjective

dēfēnsīve
* vocative masculine singular of dēfēnsīvus

## Swedish
### Adjective

defensive
* definite natural masculine singular of defensiv