Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Protective \Pro*tect"ive\, a. [Cf. F. protectif.]
   Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. `` The favor of
   a protective Providence.'' --Feltham.

   {Protective coloring} (Zo["o]l.), 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 : WordNet®

protective
     adj 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 coloring"; "protective tariffs" [ant: {unprotective}]
     2: showing a care; "a caring mother" [syn: {caring}]
     3: (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful;
        "protective of his reputation" [syn: {protective(p)}]