Defensory

/dɪˈfɛnsəri/ adjective

Definition

Relating to, providing, or serving as a defense; defensive in nature (rare).

Etymology

From Late Latin defensorius, from defensor 'defender.' This is a formal adjective variant, similar to how 'sensory' relates to 'sense,' though it has largely been superseded by 'defensive.'

Kelly Says

Defensory is so rare you'll barely find it in modern English, but in medieval Latin manuscripts about military architecture, you'll see defensory towers and defensory walls. Language naturally prunes words it doesn't need.

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