. A secret organization in the United States, formed in Iowa in 1887, ostensibly for the protection of American institutions by keeping Roman Catholics out of public office. Abbrev. commonly to
a. [ Cf. F. protectif. ] Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. “ The favor of a protective Providence.” Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]
Protective coloring (Zool.),
Protective tariff (Polit. Econ.),
n. The quality or state of being protective. W. Pater. [ 1913 Webster ]