De*fen"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. d'efensif.]
1.
Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor.
A moat defensive to a house.
Shak.
2.
Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed to offensive; as, defensive war.
3.
In a state or posture of defense.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
De*fen"sive, n.
That which defends; a safeguard.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensive.
Bacon.
To be on the defensive, To stand on the defensive, to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack.
© Webster 1913.