- defensive de·fen·sive
- [dɪ'fɛnsɪv]
1. adjdifensivo (-a), (person) sulla difensiva2. n
on the defensive — sulla difensiva
English-Italian dictionary. 2013.
defensive de·fen·sive
Look at other dictionaries:
defensive — de·fen·sive adj 1: serving to defend or as part of a defense a defensive pleading 2: devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions a defensive recapitalization...to escape a takeover attempt Barbara Franklin de·fen·sive·ly adv … Law dictionary
Defensive — De*fen sive, a. [Cf. F. d[ e]fensif.] 1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor. [1913 Webster] A moat defensive to a house. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Carried on by resisting attack or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Defensive — De*fen sive, n. That which defends; a safeguard. [1913 Webster] Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives. Bacon. [1913 Webster] {To be on the defensive}, {To stand on the defensive}, to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
defensive — de|fen|sive1 [ dı fensıv ] adjective ** 1. ) showing that you are angry or offended when you think someone is criticizing you: He got really defensive when I asked why he had left. 2. ) intended or used for protecting a place during an attack:… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
defensive — de·fen·sive di fen(t) siv, dē . adj 1) serving to defend or protect (as the ego) <face saving is a common defensive reaction (Psychology Today)> 2) devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack <defensive behavior>… … Medical dictionary
defensive — de•fen•sive [[t]dɪˈfɛn sɪv[/t]] adj. 1) serving or done for the purpose of resisting attack 2) of or pertaining to defense 3) psl prs sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one s ego 4) a position or attitude of defense: on the… … From formal English to slang
To be on the defensive — Defensive De*fen sive, n. That which defends; a safeguard. [1913 Webster] Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives. Bacon. [1913 Webster] {To be on the defensive}, {To stand on the defensive}, to be or stand in a state or posture of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To stand on the defensive — Defensive De*fen sive, n. That which defends; a safeguard. [1913 Webster] Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives. Bacon. [1913 Webster] {To be on the defensive}, {To stand on the defensive}, to be or stand in a state or posture of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
defensive — de·fen·sive … English syllables
League offensive and defensive — Offensive Of*fen sive, a. [Cf. F. offensif. See {Offend}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words. [1913 Webster] 2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Self-defensive — Self de*fen sive, a. Defending, or tending to defend, one s own person, property, or reputation. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
