† fensiveadj.
Obsolete.
= defensive adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective] > affording defence
defensiblea1382
defensivea1400
defensory1552
fenciblea1572
fensive1582
defencing1583
defensative1596
defendant1597
repugnatory1737
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > [adjective] > affording protection or defence
defendantc1330
defensivea1400
defensory1552
fensive1582
protectingc1595
defensative1596
secureful1598
fenceful1616
friendly1628
protective1653
protectory1654
screening?a1656
protectant1670
warding1697
safeguard1822
shielding1851
cushioning1887
tutorial1898
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 30 Fensiue seruice.
1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. iv. 13 The Troyans..seeke to retyre into their fensiue Towne.
1595 R. Barnfield Sonn. i, in Cynthia sig. B6 Skin (the bodies fensiue wall).
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa in Divine Poems (1717) 157 The Hills His fensive Bulwarks are.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1582