'nonprotective' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non-' and the adjective 'protective'. The prefix 'non-' ultimately comes from Latin 'non' meaning 'not', and 'protective' derives from Latin 'protegere' (from 'pro-' and 'tegere'), where 'pro-' meant 'before/in front' and 'tegere' meant 'to cover'.

'protective' changed from Latin 'protegere' into Old French 'proteger' and Middle English 'protecten', which yielded the verb 'protect' and the adjective 'protective' in modern English. 'Nonprotective' is a modern English formation by adding the prefix 'non-' to 'protective'.

Initially 'protect' (from Latin) literally meant 'to cover in front' or 'to shield'; over time it evolved to the general sense 'to guard or defend', and 'protective' retained that sense. 'Nonprotective' therefore means 'not providing protection'.