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.
雙語例句
1. Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
比賽形勢決定了他們要打防守戰而不是進攻戰。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives.
就像子女一樣，父母也常常很注重保護他們的私生活。
來自柯林斯例句
3. He smiled, not wanting to put the man on the defensive.
他笑了笑，不想讓那個人產生抵觸情緒。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Accusations are likely to put the other person on the defensive.
譴責很可能會引發對方自我防衛的反應。
來自柯林斯例句
5. The government said the moves were purely defensive.