defensiva
/defenˈsiba/ · B2 · noun · f
defensive
🛡️ defensiva = defense + -iva, sounds like 'deh-fen-SEE-va' — a shield word
Spanish 'defensiva' comes from Latin defendere, 'to ward off', the same root as English 'defend'. Hear 'defens-' inside it and link it to 'defense'. As a noun, 'la defensiva' means the defensive stance, as in 'estar a la defensiva' (to be on the defensive).