defensiveadj.n.
/dᵻˈfɛnsɪv/, U.S. /dəˈfɛnsɪv/, /diˈfɛnsɪv/ A. adj.† 4. Of a building or place: that can be defended against attack; that is easy to defend. Cf. defensible adj. 3. Obsolete.
1. † b. Of people, soldiers, armies, etc.: able to fight, capable of making a defence; = defensible adj. 1a. Obsolete.With quot. 1822, and perhaps quot. 1632, cf. defensible men at defensible adj. 1a.† c. With of. Serving to ward off or protect against a specified thing. Obsolete. rare.
a. That defends against attack, injury, or harm; intended or used for defence; protective.
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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
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 13 Aboute þe wounde leie a medicyn defensif [L. medicinam..defensiuam].
1495 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1495 §39. m. 24 Armours defensives, as jakkes, salettis, brigandynes.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxixv Any weapon, either inuasiue or defensiue.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 48 As moate defensiue to a house. View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 90 A Castle (then much decayed, never much defensive for this City).
1659 Maze 42 Be not our best defensive Forts Northward, with men, mony and munition sufficiently fortified?
1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic I. i. 25 Their Defensive Arms were the Head-piece, the Cuirass, and the Cuisses of Brass.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 361 An hard, firm shell, which furnishes..both offensive and defensive armour.
1830 G. L. Craik New Zealanders xviii. 395 He made a rule never to stir without having his defensive weapons about him.
1869 C. Boutell tr. J. P. Lacombe Arms & Armour ii. 9 When they invaded Gaul, the Romans..wore defensive armour formed of iron.
1918 R. B. Ross Fifty-first in France iv. 102 It was a task, therefore, of the first importance to provide an adequate defensive trench system.
1974 N.Y. Times 4 Aug. i. 6/1 Moscow had agreed to supply the guerrillas with defensive weapons.
2011 H. Black Devils with Wings xx. 158 The Benes Wall consisted of heavy defensive fortifications.
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society > armed hostility > warrior > defender > [adjective]
defensiblec1325
defendablec1425
defensive1632
1632 Contin. Forraine Avisoes No. 20. 5 The troupes defensiue, which now he takes along with him into the field.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 393 The faint Satanic Host Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris'd. View more context for this quotation
1822 T. Thompson Hist. Facts Ravenspurne 161 Commissions were issued for raising all the defensive men.
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the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [adjective] > serving to ward off
averruncal1706
defensive1726
1726 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxiii. 196 I rais'd a nuptial bow'r And roof'd defensive of the storm and show'r.
d. Games and Sport. Of strategies, formations, styles of play, etc.: characterized by or directed towards preventing the opponent or opposing team from scoring or otherwise gaining an advantage. Also of a team: characterized by such a style of play.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [adjective] > types of innings
defensive1832
chancy1875
runless1885
follow-on1890
chanceless1903
1832 G. Walker New Treat. Chess iv. 8 The art of playing well at Chess, consists, principally, in gaining moves, by making your adversary play forced or defensive moves.
1837 Bell's Life in London 10 Sept. The defensive method of play against such excellent bowling, excited much admiration.
1890 C. G. Heathcote Lawn Tennis in J. M. Heathcote et al. Tennis (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 238 When a lob is about to drop near the base-line it is now generally returned either by the ‘lob-volley’.., which is a defensive stroke, or the player runs back and returns it again with a lob.
1939 Scholastic Coach Oct. 34/3 Other basic defensive drills include the one-on-one.
1991 Chess Post Apr. 6/2 He doesn't have the most popular defensive stratagem available in the Dragon to a strong Black attack—an even stronger White attack!
2001 Evening Standard (Nexis) 13 Feb. 86 Once one of the best defensive teams in Europe, Arsenal have conceded 14 goals in eight Champions League games this season.
2013 FourFourTwo Jan. 103/3 Kompany has long been Manchester City's general-in-chief, his astute defensive work beloved by Roberto Mancini.
2. Of an alliance, strategy, military action, etc.: made, formed, or conducted for the purpose of preventing or resisting attack; characterized by defending. Opposed to offensive and aggressive.
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society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective] > made or done for defence
defensive1572
1572 Treat. Treasons against Q. Elizabeth i. f. 25 To haue made league with England offensiue and defensiue against all Nations.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §60. 293 The bloud which in defensive warre is shed.
1678 Lady Chaworth Let. 3 Jan. in Hist. MSS Comm.: 12th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Duke of Rutland (1889) 44 in Parl. Papers (C. 5889–II) XLIV. 3934 A league offencive and defencive with Holland.
1729 Craftsman 24 May 68 The Treaties, which They had made, were defensive only.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II II. xvii. 110 Able to wage only a tedious defensive war.
1831 Q. Rev. Jan. 126 He had placed this vigorous champion in the front of the defensive battle.
1869 G. Rawlinson Man. Anc. Hist. 180 Alliance, offensive and defensive, between Sparta and Bœotia.
1906 A. W. Ward in Cambr. Mod. Hist. IV. i. 12 The Union was altered to that of a purely defensive confederation.
1955 N.Y. Times 10 May 28/1 The North Atlantic alliance is entirely a defensive organization.
2015 Arutz Sheva (Israel) (Nexis) 31 Oct. 2,130 people were reportedly wounded by the defensive actions of Israeli security forces.
3. Of or relating to defence against military or physical attack.
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society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective]
defensivea1586
defensional1762
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > [adjective]
defensal1575
defensivea1586
protectional1650
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xi. sig. Xv Courtesie..would not be perswaded by daunger to offer any offence, but only to stand vpon the best defensiue gard he could.
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 67 Having shewn you the Defensive part, I shall now proceed to the Offensive.
1862 I. McDowell Testimony in Rep. Joint Comm. Conduct of War 1863 i. 262 I asked the Secretary..if it would be within the scope of the defensive instructions under which I was acting if I was to take Fredericksburg.
1917 North-China Herald 17 Mar. 564/3 Consulting the Government on several important questions, chiefly concerning military and defensive matters.
1981 A. S. Whiting Siberian Devel. & E. Asia i. 11 Soviet defensive worries over China emerged in the late 1960's, resulting in a major military buildup by Moscow.
2015 Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 10 Feb. Our deeper political and economic engagement of the Middle East initially grew out of such defensive concerns.
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society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective] > affording defence > of a place
defensiblea1382
defensative1591
defensive1601
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 36 To immure themselues in such defensiue places.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 81 The Citie is..made defensive by many helps of nature and industry.
5. That is spoken, written, or made in defence of something or someone; that offers justification or support against criticism.
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society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > [adjective] > vindicated > vindicatory > by argument
defendantc1400
defending?1534
defensative1587
defensive1604
1604 H. Broughton (title) Two little workes defensive of our redemption.
1663 E. Waterhouse Fortescutus Illustratus xvii. 236 Dare I not assert, or make a defensive Comment on this his Chapter barely upon his Authority.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 100 His defensive allegation, to which he is entitled in his turn to the plaintiff's answer upon oath.
1844 Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis) 25 July 1/6 Mr. Adams published a book defensive of his own course.
1893 Bookman June 85/2 An appreciative essay, partly defensive of his memory.
1915 San Antonio (Texas) Light 9 Jan. 1/1 President Wilson..made a speech defensive of the acts of his administration.
1988 A. Nye Feminist Theory & Philos. of Man (1989) iv. 112 Beauvoir acknowledged..letters defensive of the value of the family and marriage.
2011 C. Kelly War & Militarization Brit. Army Med., 1793–1830 iv. 85 His account was also extremely defensive of the medical officers.
6.
a. Of, relating to, or representing the defending side in a legal proceeding; (of a lawyer) specializing or skilled in representing defendants.
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1719 J. Lilly Pract. Reg. I. 551 The Defendant should speak in answer to that Evidence, because he is upon the defensive part.
1739 J. Trapp Righteous Over-much 16 Going to Law is absolutely unlawful, even on the defensive Side.
1866 H. Morford Utterly Wrecked xxv. 111/1 Walter Bartlett..was naturally a defensive lawyer as some have been legal blood-hounds always thirsting for conviction.
1889 Glasgow Herald 13 Nov. 9/8 Too much is being made of the evidence of the medical men on the defensive side, who did not see the body.
1933 Health Bull. (N. Carolina State Board of Health) Aug. 3/2 The work of the criminal lawyer for the most part naturally tends toward the defensive side.
2015 P. T. Jackson Black Male Violence in Perspective ii. 36 Zimmerman's defensive team put on a show for the media.
b. Sport (originally North American). Of or relating to defending in a game or match; belonging to or playing in a team's defence. Cf. defence n. 8.
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1893 Overland Monthly Feb. 131/2 The defensive team make an offside play.
1910 J. Evers Baseball in Big Leagues viii. 127 He wants a ‘pitch out’, the ball being thrown wide..when the defensive side suspects..a hit and run play is to be attempted.
1963 Times 17 Apr. 3/6 Everton took root in Birmingham territory, yet..the Birmingham defensive covering was such that there were serious doubts about the Merseysiders' ability to create the vital chink.
1983 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 5 Jan. Defensive players would have to line up a minimum of 39.37 inches away from the offensive line.
1998 Leics. Mercury (Nexis) 26 Dec. 31 He is making fewer errors and his defensive play has improved also.
2014 J. Montague Thirty One Nil iii. 85 Defensive midfielders are the water carriers, the beating heart of the team.
7. Of a person, attitude, expression, etc.: motivated or characterized by a desire to defend or justify oneself; (also) that rejects, challenges, or is oversensitive to real or perceived criticism. Now often somewhat depreciative.
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the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adjective] > defiant
stout1390
outbraving1593
outfacing1598
dareful1614
defiatory1635
outdaring1644
braving1679
defensive1785
bravadoing1809
defying1834
defianta1837
1785 T. Tyers Biogr. Sketch Dr. Johnson 9/1 My pride was defensive.
1834 S. E. Brydges Autobiogr. I. xxiii. 331 Such assertions only excite arrogance on my part,—a defensive arrogance.
1864 W. Holme Maggie Bell in Manch. Weekly Times 26 Mar. Suppl. 97/1 ‘My father,’ said she, with a tone of defensive emotion..‘has suffered great wrongs.’
1919 J. Conrad Arrow of Gold v. v. 275 The..silence made her raise her eyes at last, reluctantly, with a hard, defensive expression which I had never seen in them before.
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited i. v. 120 We were instructed by a man..who treated us with defensive hostility.
1964 N.Y. Times 13 May 66/3 Maremont..told the Broadcast Advertising Club of Chicago to ‘quit offering the public appeasement, quit offering up sacrifices, quit talking about self-policing your industry and stop being so defensive’.
2011 J. Hesketh Riding Straight & Twisty Road x. 154 I was so defensive and timid that I wasn't capable of any social interaction.
8. Finance. Of a stock, security, etc.: considered a safe investment regardless of the performance of the economy as a whole. Also (of an investment or an investment strategy): conservative, risk-averse; designed to defend against changes, esp. downturns, in part or all of the market. Cf. aggressive adj. 4b.
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society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [adjective] > other attributes of investments or capital
sound1601
unexchanged1618
discountable1771
defensive1857
uncalled1869
callable1874
pooled1888
unwatered1893
labile1894
aggressive1899
non-callable1902
geared1930
escrowed1946
undynamized1969
banded1987
1857 Newcastle Courant 4 Sept. 7/7 Buyers are naturally cautious..at present high rates, besides which many of them hold fair defensive stocks.
1892 Boston Daily Globe 25 Mar. 9/7 Buyers that did not go into the winter quarters with defensive stocks have resorted to the hand-to-mouth policy.
1947 Jrnl. Business Univ. Chicago 20 157/1 As security prices rise, the defensive portion of the fund shall be enlarged relative to the aggressive.
1958 Q. Jrnl. Econ. 72 613 Defensive investment strategy clearly is..based upon the characteristic past performance of the assets involved.
1998 Independent 29 July (Review section) 12/1 The key phrase at the moment is ‘defensive investing’—basically, being as careful as possible because nobody can be sure what will happen with the markets.
2015 Guardian (Nexis) 5 May Defensive stocks such as pharmaceuticals and utilities are in demand.
9. Of a wound or injury: sustained whilst defending oneself against attack.
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1928 Scotsman 24 July 13/4 The wounds on the deceased... were numerous, and some of them typical defensive wounds.
1960 Times 2 Mar. 6/6 Death was caused by manual strangulation. There was no sign of defensive injuries.
1984 Irish Times 24 Oct. 10/1 The deceased had a number of defensive injuries on both arms and hands.
2003 Toronto Metro 11 Apr. o9/4 He is stabbed in the head, neck and abdomen and receives defensive wounds to his hands.
B. n.† 1. Something that acts as a defence or protection; (Medicine) spec. a medicated ointment or plaster applied to the skin. Cf. defensative n. Obsolete.† 3. A person who defends against an attack or assault; a defender. Obsolete. rare.
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the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > types of treatment generally > [noun] > preventative treatment > a preventative treatment
defensivea1400
prophylactic?1541
defensative1563
defensure1616
prophylacticon1716
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 214 Þou schalt algate aboute þe sijknes leie a defensif [L. defensiuum] of bole & terra sigillata.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 91v (MED) In ych case be þer put al aboute infrigidatyuez & defensyuez [L. prohibentia] & sedatyuez.
1525 tr. H. von Brunschwig Noble Experyence Vertuous Handy Warke Surg. sig. K.iiv/1 And that defensyffe ye shal haue euery tyme by you.
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 41v If it be layd vnto woundes, it is a good defensiue for them.
1610 G. Markham Maister-peece ii. clxxiii. 485 It is also an excellent defensiue against fluxes of blood.
a1626 F. Bacon Considerations Warre with Spaine in Certaine Misc. Workes (1629) 4 Warres Preuentiue vpon Iust Feares, are true Defensiues, as well as vpon Actuall Inuasions.
1665 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 150 Wear this defensive for my sake.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Wounds If a Nerve happens to be cut, you must close it, and use a Defensive, to prevent a concourse of Humours.
1812 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 27 70 I have found some of them [sc. preparations of lead] useful, in the early state of the disease, before ulceration, both as sedatives and defensives.
2.
a. A state or position of defence. Chiefly in on (also upon) the defensive: in an attitude or position of defence; seeking to withstand or counter aggression or attack. Cf. on the offensive at offensive n. 2a.
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society > armed hostility > defence > [noun] > attitude or state of defence
defensive?1585
bracea1616
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > [noun] > position or attitude of defence
defensive?1585
?1585 E. Aggas tr. E. de L'Allouette Catholicke Apologie ii.f. 35 Still they stand vpon the defensiue [Fr. ils n'ont iamais esté que sur la defensiue].
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 116 Onely to stand vpon the defensiue [It. star su le diffese].
1708 J. Swift Predict. for 1708 7 The French Army Acts now wholly on the Defensive.
1797 E. Burke Corr. IV. 431 In debate, as in war, we confine ourselves to a poor, disgraceful, and ruinous defensive.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 309 The two brethren..striking both at once, compelled him to keep the defensive.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) III. xii. 152 The plan of the Duke was to stand wholly on the defensive.
1927 F. A. Golder in On Trail of Russ. Famine vii. 187 This fortress was in the hands of the Turks, who were on the defensive.
1970 Women Speaking Apr. 4/2 Man keeps her on the defensive by a constant barrage of insulting words.
2010 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 9 Dec. 29/1 Utopian economics is on the defensive, just like it was in the 1930s.
b. Games and Sport. A strategy or style of play which seeks to deny the opponent or opposing team opportunities to gain or advance. Chiefly in on the defensive. to go (also act, etc.) on the defensive: to adopt such a strategy or style of play.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of batting
blocking1637
quilting1822
defence1825
cutting1827
forward play1828
defensive1832
swiping1833
back-cutting1842
straight play1843
back play1844
sticking1873
leg play1877
off-driving1884
gallery-hitting1888
goose game1899
straight driving1904
stroke-play1905
pad play1906
on-driving1948
stroke-making1956
1832 G. Walker New Treat. Chess iii. 8 You will rarely see good players make this move..when they are obliged to act on the defensive.
1851 J. Pycroft Cricket Field iv. 58 The defensive was comparatively unknown: both the bat and the wicket, and the style of bowling too, were all adapted to a short life and a merry one.
1920 Princeton Alumni Weekly 17 Nov. 157/2 Yale was on the defensive throughout the entire game, and was never dangerous.
1964 Times 29 July 5/2 Clifton chose to allow the bowlers to dictate by going entirely on the defensive.
2001 National Post (Canada) 4 Apr. b13/3 The Toronto Raptors treated the Eastern Conference's best team like beer-league benchwarmers. ‘We had them on the defensive even when they were on offence.’
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society > armed hostility > warrior > defender > [noun]
werea1325
defenderc1325
forfightera1382
defensorc1390
fendera1400
man of fencec1425
defendantc1475
rampire?1549
rampart1567
defensive1634
hyperaspist1638
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 79 They..retired home, leauing the Georgians Victors, though defensiues.
Compounds
defensive back n. American Football a defensive player positioned behind the linebackers and the defensive line, typically a safety (safety n. 11) or cornerback (corner-back n. at corner n.1 Compounds 2); (also) the position occupied by such a player.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1898 Naugatuck (Connecticut) Daily News 22 Oct. He is one of the best defensive backs on the squad.
1978 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 16 Feb. He can play defensive back..and is a possibility for backup running back.
2009 Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 17 July b1/1 He could be a defensive back in football, a hockey goalie. He's got the foot speed and the lateral quicks.
defensive coordinator n. American Football a member of a team's coaching staff responsible for managing its defence.
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1961 Coshocton (Ohio) Tribune 6 Oct. 6/7 Defensive coordinator Bill Gunlock considered the Buckeyes' defense scrimmage against UCLA plays ‘the best practice in a long while’.
1989 L. Holtz & J. Heisler Fighting Spirit (1990) xxxvi. 417 Bob Shaw, West Virginia's defensive coordinator, put together an excellent gameplan.
2012 New Yorker 17 Sept. 44/2 Ryan arrived from the Baltimore Ravens, where he was the defensive coordinator, bringing with him his exotic defensive schemes.
defensive driving n. originally and chiefly U.S. the action or practice of driving a motor vehicle in a manner which prioritizes safety through the use of particular tactics intended to anticipate danger and avoid collisions; frequently attributive.
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1937 Travelers Standard May 83/1 Defensive driving consists not only in exercising special care at intersections but also in being constantly alert to anticipate traffic violations and unsafe acts of every kind.
1977 Newsweek (Nexis) 14 Nov. 82 Companies are..routinely sending their staff chauffeurs to defensive-driving schools where they learn..evasion techniques.
2007 M. Plaut Hack ii. 18 I sat through a six-hour defensive-driving course.
defensive end n. American Football either of the players positioned at each end of the defensive line; (also) the position of such a player.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1897 Boston Daily Globe 13 Nov. 5/3 This year he has been Yale's leading defensive end.
1960 P. W. Bryant Building Championship Football Team 49 The defensive ends line up in a four-point stance as close to the line of scrimmage as they can get.
2015 Edmonton (Alberta) Jrnl. (Nexis) 27 May (Sports section) c5 He's simply too small to play defensive end in the NFL.
defensive line n. (a) Military = line of defence at defence n. Phrases 3 (now chiefly historical); (b) American Football the defensive players positioned on the line of scrimmage, directly opposite the offensive line; (also) the position of such a player.
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society > armed hostility > defence > [noun] > defensive boundary or cordon
defensive line1632
cordon1759
picket line1847
perimeter1861
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player > specific group of players
defensive line1632
rush1881
rush line1882
offensive line1893
strong side1905
backfield1911
platoon1941
secondary1955
suicide squad1960
D-line1971
1632 B. Gerbier Introd. Mil. Archit. 19 There shall bee treated, of that which a Governour..ought to know of Fortifications... Of its construction, and its defensive Lines.
1779 tr. Duke of Berwick Mem. II. 279 To make the different parts of this defensive line more secure, Major-General de Bonas was ordered..to make himself master of the castle of Castel-leon.
1845 Littell's Living Age 8 Nov. 289/2 Fifteen of them..took their station to the south of the right wing of our defensive line.
1899 Harper's Weekly 16 Dec. 34/1 A slippery field is always a handicap for a defensive line against push plays.
1949 H. O. Crisler Mod. Football xix. 251 If the defensive line is weak, thrusts at the middle become part of the game plan.
1970 J. Marshall-Cornwall Grant Mil. Commander xiv. 105 The Confederates..had occupied a forward defensive line at the foot of the Chickasaw Bluffs.
2015 Richmond (Va.) Times Disp. (Nexis) 31 Jan. When his weight exceeded 260 pounds, it looked like he would play defensive line in college.
defensive lineman n. American Football any player positioned on the defensive line.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1899 Boston Daily Globe 9 Nov. 8/4 Too much time seems to have been devoted during the preliminary practice this fall to..features of an offensive game calculated to bother the opposing defensive lines-men.]
1902 Newark (Ohio) Advocate 19 Nov. 6/1 Defensive linemen never aim to make a tackle, but..to get their bodies across the line of play.
1988 L. Wilson Amer. Football iii. 43/1 The defensive linemen must prevent the offense dominating the line of scrimmage.
2012 New Yorker 2 Jan. 46/2 Darius Hamilton,..a defensive lineman with shoulders so broad you worry about the doorframe.
defensive medicine n. [in sense (a) after post-classical Latin defensivum medicamentum (1576 or earlier)] †(a) a protective medicinal preparation (cf. sense B. 1) (obsolete); (b) (originally and chiefly U.S.) medicine practised in such a way as to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation (typically by the use of excessive diagnostic testing).
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1590 J. Hester tr. J. Du Chesne Sclopotarie sig. O/2 Defensiue medicines [L. Defensiua medicamenta].
1685 tr. T. Willis London Pract. Physick 501 In purging, what Solenander prescribes happily may be of some moment; viz., by putting a Plaister, or some other defensive Medicine on the place, to hinder the falling of the Humour to it.
1969 A. A. Ribicoff in Med. Malpractice: Patient versus Physician (Comm. Print, U.S. Senate Subcomm. Executive Reorganization, Govt. Operations Comm., 91st Congr., 1st Session) 2 The rising number of malpractice suits is forcing physicians to practice what they call defensive medicine, viewing each patient as a potential malpractice claimant.
2003 Philadelphia Inquirer 9 Feb. c5/5 Doctors..are also increasing overall medical spending by practicing defensive medicine—ordering tests by the bucketful and referring patients to specialists to cover themselves in the event of a lawsuit.
defensive tackle n. American Football a defensive player positioned at or near the centre of the defensive line; (also) the position of such a player; cf. tackle n. 9b.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1900 Boston Sunday Globe 7 Oct. 40/3 The men available must be trained into good defensive tackles.
1960 Ebony Jan. 37/2 289-pound Gene (Big Daddy) Lipscomb, defensive tackle on the world champion Baltimore Colts.
2010 B. Shaw in K. Rappoport Little League that Could ii. 22 I was playing defensive tackle and Houston Antwine was playing offensive guard.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.a1400