Offense

Offense Of*fense", Offence Of*fence", n. [F., fr. L. offensa. See {Offend}.] 1. The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury. [1913 Webster]

Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. --Rom. iv. 25. [1913 Webster]

I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure; as, to cause offense. [1913 Webster]

He was content to give them just cause of offense, when they had power to make just revenge. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

3. A cause or occasion of stumbling or of sin. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! --Matt. xviii. 7. [1913 Webster]

4. In any contest, the act or process of attacking as contrasted with the act of defending; the offensive; as, to go on the offense. [PJC]

5. (Sports) The members of a team who have the primary responsibility to score goals, in contrast to those who have the responsibility to defend, i.e. to prevent the opposing team from scoring goal. [PJC]

Note: This word, like expense, is often spelled with a c. It ought, however, to undergo the same change with expense, the reasons being the same, namely, that s must be used in offensive as in expensive, and is found in the Latin offensio, and the French offense. [1913 Webster]

{To take offense}, to feel, or assume to be, injured or affronted; to become angry or hostile.

{Weapons of offense}, those which are used in attack, in distinction from those of defense, which are used to repel. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed; misdemeanor; trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime; affront; indignity; outrage; insult. [1913 Webster]