protective
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PROTECTIVE
1
always used before a noun
:
used to protect someone or something
:
giving or meant to give protection
-
He put a protective cover over the car.
-
protective clothing/gear
-
The police are keeping her in protective custody. [=in jail and away from others so that she will not be harmed]
2
[more protective; most protective]
:
having or showing a strong desire to protect someone or something from harm
— often + of
-
an overly protective mother
-
She is very protective of her children.
— protectively
adverb-
She kept her hand protectively on her purse.
