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offense definition

of·fense (ə fens′; also, and for n. 7 always, ô′fens′)

noun

  1. an offending; specif.,
    1. the act of breaking a law; sin or crime; transgression
    2. the act of creating resentment, hurt feelings, displeasure, etc.
  2. the condition of being offended, esp. of feeling hurt, resentful, or angry; umbrage
  3. Rare something that causes sinning or wrongdoing
  4. something that causes resentment, anger, etc.
  5. the act of attacking or assaulting; aggression
  6. the person, army, etc. that is attacking
  7. ☆ Sports
    1. a team when it is attempting to score against an opponent in any contest
    2. the ability to score against an opposing team
    3. the strategy, plays, etc. used in attempting to score against an opposing team

Etymology: ME < MFr < L offensa < pp. of offendere: see offend

offense Idioms

give offense

to offend; anger, insult, etc.

on offense

Sports engaged in an attempt to score against an opposing team

take offense

to become offended; feel hurt, angry, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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