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| of·fense [ ə fénss, sense 3 ó fènss ] (plural of·fens·es) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. legal or moral crime: an official crime, or a crime against moral, social, or other accepted standards
 mail fraud is a federal offense
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2. attack: an attack or assault, usually in the military or in sports
The army launched its great offense that spring.
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3. attacking players on team: the players making up the part of a team that attempts to score in a game, as distinct from the defense that tries to stop the other team from scoring
We lacked a good offense last spring.
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4. anger or resentment: anger, resentment, hurt, or displeasure
"Please don't take offense."
His remarks caused great offense.
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5. cause of displeasure or anger: something that causes displeasure, humiliation, anger, resentment, or hurt
The request was an offense to their dignity.
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| [14th century. Via French< Latin offens-, past participle of offendere "to strike"] |
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