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Definition of offense


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of·fense  audio  (-fns) KEY  

NOUN:
    1. The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.
    2. The state of being offended.
    1. A violation or infraction of a moral or social code; a transgression or sin.
    2. A transgression of law; a crime.
  1. Something that outrages moral sensibilities: Genocide is an offense to all civilized humans.
  2. (fns) The act of attacking or assaulting.
  3. (fns) Sports
    1. The means or tactics used in attempting to score.
    2. A team in possession of the ball or puck, or those players whose primary duty is to attempt to score.
    3. Scoring ability or potential.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French ofense, from Latin offnsa, from feminine past participle of offendere, to offend ; see offend


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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