protective

[pruh-tek-tiv]

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.

defensive(def 4).

Origin of protective

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

Related formspro·tec·tive·ly, adverbpro·tec·tive·ness, nounnon·pro·tec·tive, adjectivenon·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverbsem·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. 2018

Examples from the Web for protectively

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of protectively

At the sight of Sophia, Riccardo rushed to her, looming over her protectively.
The Saracen: The Holy War
Robert Shea
In short, they are protectively designed, while the first class are attractive.
The Evolutionist at Large
Grant Allen
He almost wanted to put his arm about the woman's shoulders, protectively.
Earthsmith
Milton Lesser
She tended him so protectively that one might have thought her loving.
Coquette
Frank Swinnerton
The large majority of monkeys are protectively coloured with some shade of brown or grey, with specially marked faces.
The Human Side of Animals
Royal Dixon

British Dictionary definitions for protectively

protective

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 Formsprotectively, 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

Word Origin and History for protectively

protective

adj.

1660s, from protect + -ive. As a noun from 1875. Related: Protectively; protectiveness. Protective custody is from 1933, translating German Schutzhaft, used cynically by the Nazis.