non-protective
|non-pro-tec-tive|
🇺🇸
/nɑn.prəˈtɛktɪv/
🇬🇧
/nɒn.prəˈtɛktɪv/
not providing protection
Etymology
'non-protective' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non-' (from Latin/Old English 'non' meaning 'not') and the adjective 'protective' (from Latin 'protegere' where 'pro-' meant 'before' and 'tegere' meant 'to cover').
'protective' came into English via Old French ('protectif') from Latin 'protegere'; the negating prefix 'non-' was attached in Modern English to form the compound 'non-protective'.
Initially, the root 'protect' meant 'to cover or shield'; over time 'protective' came to mean 'providing protection', and 'non-protective' developed to mean 'not providing protection' or 'lacking protective effect'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not providing protection; lacking protective qualities or safeguards.
The coating proved non-protective against rust in saltwater conditions.
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Adjective 2
(Legal/insurance) Not intended to or not effective in providing coverage or legal protection; excluded from protective measures or clauses.
The contract contained a non-protective clause that left the contractor liable for losses.
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Last updated: 2025/10/25 22:35