offense

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The act of offending.

   The slave fully appreciates the saying, "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." When old master's gestures were violent, ending with a threatening shake of the head, and a sharp snap of his middle finger and thumb, I deemed it wise to keep at a respectable distance from him; for, at such times, trifling faults stood, in his eyes, as momentous offenses; and, having both the power and the disposition, the victim had only to be near him to catch the punishment, deserved or undeserved.

2. 2
   noun

   (criminal law) an act punishable by law

3. 3
   noun

   the action of attacking an enemy

4. 4
   noun

   a lack of politeness

5. 5
   noun

   a feeling of anger caused by being offended

6. 6
   noun

   the team that has the ball (or puck) and is trying to score

7. 7
   noun

   The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.

8. 8
   noun

   A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.

Etymology

From Middle English offence, from Old French offense, from Latin offensa (“a striking against; displeasure; injury”).