a. | 1. | Affording protection; sheltering; defensive.
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Adj. | 1. | protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" Antonyms: unprotective - not affording protection |
2. | protective - showing a care; "a caring mother" Synonyms: caring | |
3. | protective - (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful; "protective of his reputation" |