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defensively

adv
/dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/UK

Etymology

From defensive + -ly.

  1. derived from dēfēnsa — “protection”
  2. derived from defens
  3. inherited from defens
  4. suffixed as defensive — “defense + ive”
  5. formed as defensively — “defensive + -ly”

Definitions

  1. In a defensive manner.

    • This is a particularly disruptive tactic if the opponent also prefers an offensive style and has difficulty fighting defensively or counteroffensively.
    • England, defensively, were not good enough - nowhere near the standard that would be acceptable at the highest international level.
    • It's fine. I think I could be ... semitarian, maybe? Half vegetarian? It's a thing,' he adds, a little defensively

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for defensively. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA