Word: defensively
Part of speech: Adverb
Syllables: de
fen
sive
ly
Definition: In a defensive manner; an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive')
Morphemes:
Affix: defense
Language: en
PoS: Noun
Meaning: The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
Etymology Compounds: Affix: défense
Language: fr
Decoded: defense
PoS: Noun
Meaning: defence (action of defending or protecting from attack, danger or injury, or any means for that purpose)
Affix: -ive
Language: en
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: An adjective suffix signifying relating or belonging to, of the nature of, tending to, or serving to; as: affirmative, active, conclusive, corrective, diminutive.
Etymology Compounds: Affix: -ivus
Language: la
Decoded: -ivus
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: Adjective suffix.
Affix: -ly
Language: en
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: Used to form adverbs from adjectives.