PROTECTIVE

protective

(adjective) (usually followed by ‘of’) solicitously caring or mindful; “protective of his reputation”

protective

(adjective) 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”

protective

(adjective) showing care; “a protective mother”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

protective (comparative more protective, superlative most protective)

serving, intended or wishing to protect

Noun

protective (plural protectives)

(British) Something that protects.

A condom.

Source: Wiktionary

Pro*tect"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. protectif.]

Definition: Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. " The favor of a protective Providence." Feltham. Protective coloring (Zoöl.), coloring which serves for the concealment and preservation of a living organism. Cf. Mimicry. Wallace.

– Protective tariff (Polit. Econ.), a tariff designed to secure protection (see Protection, 4.), as distinguished from a tariff designed to raise revenue. See Tariff, and Protection, 4.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition