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offence

 - 7 dictionary results
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of⋅fence

  [uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens]
Use offence in a Sentence
–noun
offense.
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of⋅fense

  [uh-fens or, for 7–9, aw-fens, of-ens]
–noun
1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.
2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.
3. a cause of transgression or wrong.
4. something that offends or displeases.
5. the act of offending or displeasing.
6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused: to give offense.
7. the act of attacking; attack or assault: weapons of offense.
8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.
9. Sports.
a. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.
b. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.
c. a pattern or style of scoring attack: single-wing offense; fast-break offense.
d. offensive effectiveness; ability to score: a total breakdown in offense.
10. Archaic. injury, harm, or hurt.
Also, offence.

Origin:
1325–75; ME offence, offense; in part < MF offens < L offēnsus collision, knock, equiv. to offend(ere) (see offend ) + -tus suffix of v. action; in part < MF offense ≪ L offēnsa, fem. ptp. of offendere

Synonyms:
1, 2. trespass, felony, fault. See crime. 6. umbrage, resentment, wrath, indignation. 7. aggression. 8. besiegers, attackers, enemy, foe.

Antonyms:
6. pleasure. 7. defense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To offence
of·fence   (ə-fěns')   
n.   Chiefly British
Variant of offense.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

offense 
c.1374, "hurt, harm, injury, pain," from O.Fr. offense, from L. offensa "an offense, injury, a striking against," properly fem. pp. of offendere (see offend). Meaning "action of attacking" and "feeling of being hurt" are both first recorded c.1400. Sense of "breach of the law, transgression" is first recorded 1382. Sporting sense first recorded 1912 (in adj., offensive).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: offence
variant of OFFENSE

Main Entry: of·fense
Variant: or of·fence /&-'fens/
Function: noun
1 : a violation of the law; especially : a criminal act offense to be twice put in jeopardy —U.S. Constitution amendment V> —see also LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSE
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : an intentional unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages —compare quasi contract at CONTRACT, QUASI-OFFENSE
NOTE: Breach of contract, offenses, quasi-offenses, and quasi contracts are the bases for civil liability under the civil law. Offenses and quasi-offenses are comparable to common-law torts.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Bible Dictionary

Offence

(1.) An injury or wrong done to one (1 Sam. 25:31; Rom. 5:15). (2.) A stumbling-block or cause of temptation (Isa. 8:14; Matt. 16:23; 18:7). Greek skandalon, properly that at which one stumbles or takes offence. The "offence of the cross" (Gal. 5:11) is the offence the Jews took at the teaching that salvation was by the crucified One, and by him alone. Salvation by the cross was a stumbling-block to their national pride.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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