defensive
/dɪˈfensɪv/adjective
1
- used or intended to defend or protect防卫用的, 防御用的：
defensive barriers.
防御障碍。
1.1
- attrib.(in sport) relating to or intended as defence（体育用语）防守的。
2
- very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism百般辩解的：
he was very defensive about that side of his life.
他对自己那方面的生活百般辩解。
短语
on the defensive
- expecting or resisting criticism or attack处于防御状态：
British forces were on the defensive.
英国军队处于守势。
派生词
defensiveness
noun词源
late Middle English: from Old French défensif, -ive, from medieval Latin defensivus, from Latin defens- 'warded off'， from the verb defendere （see DEFEND）.