OFFENSE

or offence noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin offensa, from feminine of offensus, past participle of offendere Date: 14th century 1. an act of stumbling, a cause or occasion of sin ; stumbling block , something that outrages the moral or physical senses, 3. the act of attacking ; assault , the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score, the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions, scoring ability, 4. the act of displeasing or affronting, the state of being insulted or morally outraged , 5. a breach of a moral or social code ; sin , misdeed , an infraction of law, ~less adjective Synonyms: see: ~ Synonyms: see: ~