protective
adjective
- helping to protect; acting defensively for the safety or preservation of something dear
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv/ / /pɹoʊˈtɛk.tɪv/ / /pɹəˈtek.tɪv/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Medieval Latin prōtēctīvusbor. English protective Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus. By surface analysis, protect + -ive.
- Serving or intended to protect.
“The fighter dropped into a protective stance.”
“The castle's moat served a protective function.”
- Wishing to protect; defensive of somebody or something.
“Mother bears are famously protective of their cubs.”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Medieval Latin prōtēctīvusbor. English protective Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus. By surface analysis, protect + -ive.
- Something that protects.
- A condom.