n. (US offense) 1 an illegal act; a transgression or misdemeanour. 2 a wounding of the feelings; resentment or umbrage (no offence was meant). 3 the act of attacking or taking the offensive; aggressive action. give offence cause hurt feelings. take offence suffer hurt feelings. offenceless adj.
[ orig. = stumbling, stumbling-block: ME & OF offens f. L offensus annoyance, and ME & F offense f. L offensa a striking against, hurt, displeasure, both f. offendere (as OB-, fendere fens- strike) ]