- Offensiveness
- Offensive Of*fen"sive, a. [Cf. F. offensif. See {Offend}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment;
displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.
[1913 Webster]
2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds. ``Offensive to the stomach.'' --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to {defensive}; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons. [1913 Webster]
{League offensive and defensive}, a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious; abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful; opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant; attacking; invading. [1913 Webster] -- {Of*fen"sive*ly}, adv. -- {Of*fen"sive*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.