protective

adjectivenouncommon in dialogue

United Kingdom//pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv//
Canada//pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv//
Canada//pɹoʊˈtɛk.tɪv//
Australia//pɹəˈtek.tɪv//

Serving or intended to protect.

adjective

1
Serving or intended to protect.
The fighter dropped into a protective stance.
The castle's moat served a protective function.
Pour a solvent such as paint thinner, mineral spirits, or a liquid sandpaper product in a metal can or enamel bowl. Wear protective gloves.
2
Wishing to protect; defensive of somebody or something.
Mother bears are famously protective of their cubs.

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus. By surface analysis, protect + -ive.

noun

1
Something that protects.
2
A condom.

Forms

plural: protectives
comparative: more protective
superlative: most protective

protect · To keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm coming to.protected · defended protection · The process of keeping (something or someone) safe.

protective · Serving or intended to protect.

protector · Someone who protects or guards, by assignment or on their own…protein · Any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules…protest · To make a strong objection.

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.