protective

[ pruh-tek-tiv ]

/ prəˈtɛk tɪv /

adjective

having the quality or function of protecting: a protective covering.

tending to protect.

Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism: protective tariffs.

Words nearby protective

protecting, protection, protection ratio, protection test, protectionism, protective, protective colloid, protective coloration, protective custody, protective laryngeal reflex, protective slope

Origin of protective

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM protective

pro·tec·tive·ly, adverbpro·tec·tive·ness, nounnon·pro·tec·tive, adjectivenon·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb

sem·i·pro·tec·tive, adjectivesem·i·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverbun·pro·tec·tive, adjectiveun·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for protectively

He protectively brought it back to his room, where he fed it banana and gently wrapped it in a warm cloth.
Our Visit From Irene|India Hicks|August 27, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It is obvious that all three of these diversely plumaged species cannot be protectively coloured.
The Making of Species|Douglas Dewar
In the room, Julia laid her hand gently, protectively over the hand of Cyril Scott.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
The single copy is kept in a great vault, built of indestructible metals, and protectively sheathed to last for all Time.
The Women-Stealers of Thrayx|Fox B. Holden

Then he dropped down beside the girl, and put one arm over her protectively, an instinctive movement.
Astounding Stories, June, 1931|Various
In short, they are protectively designed, while the first class are attractive.
The Evolutionist at Large|Grant Allen

British Dictionary definitions for protectively

protective

/ (prəˈtɛktɪv) /

adjective

giving or capable of giving protection

economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries

noun

something that protects

a condom

Derived forms of protective

protectively, adverbprotectiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012