defensive

柯林斯词典

1. ADJ You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something. 防御性的; 防卫用的
The Government hastily organized defensive measures, deploying searchlights and antiaircraft guns around the target cities. 政府匆忙组织了防御措施，在目标城市周围部署了探照灯和高射炮。
2. ADJ Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened. 自卫的
Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives. 跟孩子们一样，家长们对他们的私生活通常也是自卫的。
3. defensivelyADV 自卫地
"Oh, I know, I know," said Kate, defensively. 凯特心存戒备地说道：“啊，知道，知道。”
4. ADJ In sports, defensive play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring points against you. 防守的
I'd always played a defensive game, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake. 我总是打防守战，等着对手出错。
5. defensivelyADV 防守地[ADV after v]
We didn't play well defensively in the first half. 我们上半场防守不佳。
6. PHRASE If someone is on the defensive, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened. 采取防卫措施
The administration has been on the defensive about the war. 行政部门一直在为战争辩解。

Research involving the use of biological warfare agents will be used for defensive purposes .
The merest hint of criticism makes him defensive.
The tone of the feminist speakers suggested they were adopting a rather defensive posture .
Some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural , some were carved out by soldiers for defensive purposes .
The anti-personnel mines were laid around the town as a defensive measure .