Of-fĕnse’, n., n.
[Fr. offense, Pr. & Pg. offensa, Sp. ofensa, It. offensa, offesa, Lat. offensa. See OFFEND.]
Sense 1. The act of offending or striking against; hence, the act of displeasing or hurting; an injury.
I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories. Dryden.
Sense 2. An open violation of law; a transgression; a crime.
Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. iv. 25.
Sense 3. That which offends or strikes against; that which excites anger. “Great and scandalous offenses.” Pearson.
Sense 4. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.
He was content to give them just cause of offense, when they had power to make just revenge. Sidney.
☞ This word, like expense, has usually been 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.
Weapons of offense, those which are used in attack, in distinction from those of defense, which are used to repel.
Synonyms—Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed; misdemeanor; trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime; affront; indignity; outrage; insult.