Etymologically
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defensivus

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [deː.fẽːˈsiː.wʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [de.fenˈsiː.vus][1]

Forms

dēfēnsīvus (feminine dēfēnsīva, neuter dēfēnsīvum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off, defend”),[2][1] a Medieval Latin formation[1] on its past participle stem ⟨dēfēns-⟩[3] with the suffix -īvus.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler and the MLW record it first in Constantine the African (1020–1087), who calls the membranes over the brain protective of it.[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Besides its medical use, it meant “protecting” in general, as in Albertus Magnus,[4] and “serving for defence”, of a building,[4] of arms, of a doublet or corslet, and of walls and towers.[5] British documents oppose arma defensiva, defensive arms, to invasiva, those for attack.[5] In medicine the neuter was used as a noun for a remedy that checks growth.[4] English defensive comes from it, partly through Old French, and as a noun first meant medicines.[3]

Timeline

  • 1020–1087 – Constantine the African uses it in medicine.[2][4]
  • 13th century – Albertus Magnus calls a power “protective”.[4][2]
  • c. 1400 – English borrows it as defensive.[3]
  • 1403 – A British document distinguishes defensive arms from those for attack.[5]
  • 1426 – A will leaves a long defensive doublet of velvet.[5]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Protective, defending.[4][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Defensive, serving for defence (of arms, armour or fortifications).[4][5]
  3. (Medieval Latin, medicine) Protecting a part of the body; preventive.[4][5][1]

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin, medicine) A remedy that checks growth.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  5. ^ a b c d e f Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press