c. 1400 (adj. and noun), from French défensif (14c.), from Medieval Latin defensivus, from defens-, past participle stem of Latin defendere (see defend). Of persons, "alert to reject criticism," from 1919. Related: Defensively; defensiveness.
双语例句
1. Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
比赛形势决定了他们要打防守战而不是进攻战。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives.
就像子女一样，父母也常常很注重保护他们的私生活。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He smiled, not wanting to put the man on the defensive.
他笑了笑，不想让那个人产生抵触情绪。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Accusations are likely to put the other person on the defensive.
谴责很可能会引发对方自我防卫的反应。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The government said the moves were purely defensive.
