toqus
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English
한국어
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defensive
adjective
Intended
to
defend
or
protect
rather
than
to
attack
.
•
The
castle
walls
were
built
extra
thick
to
provide
a
strong
defensive
barrier
against
invaders
.
The
castle
walls
were
built
extra
thick
to
provide
a
strong
defensive
barrier
against
invaders
.
•
The
government
insists
its
new
missile
system
is
purely
defensive
.
The
government
insists
its
new
missile
system
is
purely
defensive
.
From
Latin
dēfēnsus
(
defended
,
protected
)
+
-ive
,
entering
English
in
the
late
17th
century
to
describe
things
meant
for
protection
.
adjective
Quick
to
protect
yourself
from
criticism
or
perceived
attack
,
often
by
justifying
your
actions
.
•
When
her
project
was
questioned
,
Maria
became
defensive
and
explained
every
detail
.
When
her
project
was
questioned
,
Maria
became
defensive
and
explained
every
detail
.
•
Try
not
to
sound
defensive
;
we're
just
trying
to
help
.
Try
not
to
sound
defensive
;
we're
just
trying
to
help
.
Psychological
use
developed
in
the
mid-20th
century
,
extending
the
original
sense
of
protecting
oneself
to
include
protecting
one
’
s
ego
or
self-image
.
