Defensive
Example: Defensive strategies protect against risks
Definition
"Defensive" describes actions, attitudes, or strategies intended to protect against danger, attack, or criticism, often by responding cautiously or guardingly. It is commonly used in contexts like sports, military, and personal behavior to indicate protective measures or reactions.
Etymology
The word "defensive" comes from the Latin verb 'defendere,' meaning 'to ward off or protect.' It entered English in the late 16th century, adopting the suffix '-ive' to form an adjective. Did you know? The root 'defendere' also gave rise to the English word 'defend,' highlighting their shared protective sense.
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"Defensive" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - (C1) - set 1", containing 120 commonly used words.
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