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defensive |
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defensive Adjective 1. intended for defence 2. guarding against criticism or exposure of one's failings: he can be highly defensive and wary Noun on the defensive in a position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism defensively adv
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defensive adjective 2. oversensitive, uptight (informal) Translations How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. The second is passive, defensive,--to it belongs the "struggle for existence. From these considerations it appears that those gentlemen are greatly mistaken who suppose that alliances offensive and defensive might be formed between these confederacies, and would produce that combination and union of wills of arms and of resources, which would be necessary to put and keep them in a formidable state of defense against foreign enemies. |
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