defensive English · revision 5602

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1400|origins=la dēfendere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈfen.sɪv/, /dəˈfen.sɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English defensif, [[bor|fro|defensif]] and directly from [[la-med|dēfēnsīvus]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from dēfēns-, the past participle stem of [[m|la|dēfendere|t=to ward off, defend]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) See [[defend]] and [[defense]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Serving to defend, of the nature of defence: about 1400.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The noun, that which defends, is also from about 1400, at first of medicines.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Made or carried on for defence, as opposed to offensive, is from 1580.^(OED 1989) The noun, a posture of defence, as in ''on the defensive'', is from about 1600.^(Etymonline) In cricket, cautious batting is called defensive from 1872.^(OED 1989) Of a person, quick to reject criticism, it is from 1919.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1400 – serving to defend.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1580 – as opposed to offensive.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – ''on the defensive''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1872 – in cricket.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1919 – quick to reject criticism.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Used or intended to protect against attack.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Quick to react to criticism, as though attacked.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(sport)'' Concerned with stopping the other team from scoring.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(on the defensive)'' A position or attitude of defence.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[defensively]]

+ * [[defensiveness]]

+ * [[nondefensive]]

+ * [[overdefensive]]

+ * [[self-defensive]]

+ * [[undefensive]]

+ * [[defensive back]]

+ * [[defensive medicine]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[defend]]

+ * [[defense]]

+ * [[defence]]

+ * [[offensive]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}