/euh fens"/ or, for 7-9, /aw"fens, of"ens/ , n.
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 .
[ 1325-75; ME offence, offense; in part offens offensus collision, knock, equiv. to offend ( ere ) (see OFFEND) + -tus suffix of v. action; in part offense offensa, fem. ptp. of offendere ]
Syn. 1, 2. trespass, felony, fault. See crime. 6. umbrage, resentment, wrath, indignation. 7. aggression. 8. besiegers, attackers, enemy, foe.
Ant. 6. pleasure. 7. defense.