WordWeb Online

1. 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 colouring"; "protective tariffs"
    
2. Showing care
   "a protective mother"
    
3. (usually followed by 'of') solicitously caring or mindful
   "protective of his reputation"

1. Contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
   - condom, rubber [N. Amer, informal], safety, safe, prophylactic, franger [Austral, informal], French letter [Brit, archaic, informal], johnny [Brit, informal]
    
2. Something that protects

Derived forms: protectives

See also: antifertility, careful, cautionary, contraceptive, custodial, defensive, evasive, overprotective, preservative, preventative, preventive, prophylactic, protecting, restrictive, safety-related, tender, tutelar, tutelary

Type of: birth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, preventative, preventive, prophylactic device

Antonym: unprotective

Encyclopedia: Protective