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general::
adj. protecting against attack VERBS be ADV. purely These are purely defensive measures. | essentially, largely a largely defensive campaign showing you feel sb is criticizing you VERBS be, feel, look, seem, sound | become, get Whenever anyone mention women's rights, he gets rather defensive. ADV. extremely, fiercely, very He did not once glance at his listeners and seemed fiercely defensive. | a little, rather, slightly, somewhat | oddly Her manner was oddly defensive, as he hadn't intended any criticism at all. PREP. about He is extremely defensive about his work.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary