Definify.com

Webster 1828 Edition


Offense

OFFENSE

,
Noun.
offens'. [L. offensus, offensa.]
1.
Displeasure; anger, or moderate anger. He gave them just cause of offense. He took offense.
2.
Scandal; cause of stumbling. Christ is called a stone of stumbling and rock of offense to both the houses of Israel. Ps. 8.
3.
Any transgression of law, divine or human; a crime; sin; act of wickedness or omission of duty.
Christ was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification. Rom. 4.
4.
An injury.
I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories.
5.
Attack; assault; as a weapon of offense.
6.
Impediment. Matt. 16.

Definition 2024


offense

offense

See also: offensé

English

Alternative forms

  • (British standard spelling) offence

Noun

offense (plural offenses) (US)

  1. The act of offending:
    1. a crime or sin
      • 2006, Edwin Black, chapter 2, in Internal Combustion:
        The popular late Middle Ages fictional character Robin Hood, dressed in green to symbolize the forest, dodged fines for forest offenses and stole from the rich to give to the poor. But his appeal was painfully real and embodied the struggle over wood.
    2. an affront, insult or injury.
      • Dryden
        I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offence to their memories.
  2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.
  3. (team sports) (often /ˈɒ fɛns/) A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.
  4. (team sports) (often /ˈɒ fɛns/) The portion of a team dedicated to scoring when in position to do so; contrasted with defense.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:offense

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also


French

Verb

offense

  1. first-person singular present indicative of offenser
  2. third-person singular present indicative of offenser
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of offenser
  4. third-person singular present subjunctive of offenser
  5. second-person singular imperative of offenser

Latin

Adjective

offense

  1. vocative masculine singular of offensus