Adjective

(en adjective)

Intended for defence; protective.

a defensive perimeter

Intended to deter attack.

a defensive missile system

Performed so as to minimise risk.

defensive driving

Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism.

(cricket) Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.

(sports) Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=September 2 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Bulgaria 0-3 England , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.}}

In a state or posture of defense.

(Milton)

Adjective

(er)

Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

*{{quote-book, year=1551, year_published=1888

, title= A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society , section=Part 1, publisher=Clarendon Press, location=Oxford, editor= , volume=1, page=217 , passage=Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not onely vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber.}}

Based on factually incorrect premises: false legislation

Spurious, artificial.

:

*

*:At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy?; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.

(lb) Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.

Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.

:

Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.

:

*(John Milton) (1608-1674)

*:I to myself was false , ere thou to me.

Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.

:

*(Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)

*:whose false foundation waves have swept away

Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.

(lb) Out of tune.