Dictionary
pro•tec•tive
Pronunciation: (pru-tek'tiv), [key]—
adj.
1. having the quality or function of protecting:
a protective covering.
2. tending to protect.
3. Econ.of, pertaining to, or designed to favor protectionism:
protective tariffs.
4. defensive (def. 4).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.