[adj] 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"
[adj] showing a care; "a caring mother"
Synonyms
antifertility, antifouling, caring, cautionary, conserving, contraceptive, covering, custodial, evasive, guardian, overprotective, preservative, preserving, prophylactic, protecting(a), restrictive, safety-related, shielding, tender, tutelar, tutelary