adjective

1. defending
2. of or for defense
3. designating or of the side that defends a goal, basket, etc. in a contest
4. Psychol. constantly feeling under attack and hence quick to justify one's actions

Etymology: ME & OFr defensif < ML defensivus < L defensus: see defense

noun

1. Obsolete something that defends
2. a position of defense: chiefly in the phrase on the defensive, in a condition of resisting or being ready to resist attack or danger