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.
Phrases and idioms:
give offence cause hurt feelings. take offence suffer hurt feelings.
Derivatives:
offenceless adj.
Etymology: 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)