n. 1. a. The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront. b. The state of being offended. 2. a. A violation or infraction of a moral or social code; a transgression or sin. b. A transgression of law; a crime. 3. Something that outrages moral sensibilities: Genocide is an offense to all civilized humans. 4. (ŏfĕns′) The act of attacking or assaulting. 5. (ŏfĕns′) Sports a. The means or tactics used in attempting to score. b. The team in possession of the ball or puck, or those players whose primary duty is to attempt to score. c. Scoring ability or potential. [Middle English, from Old French ofense, from Latin offēnsa, from feminine past participle of offendere, to offend; see OFFEND.] |
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