Offense /(?)/

Of·fense

Offense

n.
  1. The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury.
    Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.
    — Rom. iv. 25.
    I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories.
  2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure; as, to cause offense.
    He was content to give them just cause of offense, when they had power to make just revenge.
  3. A cause or occasion of stumbling or of sin. [Obs.]
    Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
    — Matt. xviii. 7.
  4. In any contest, the act or process of attacking as contrasted with the act of defending; the offensive; as, to go on the offense.
  5. The members of a team who have the primary responsibility to score goals, in contrast to those who have the responsibility to defend, i.e. to prevent the opposing team from scoring goal. (Sports)

Phrases & Compounds
To take offense
to feel, or assume to be, injured or affronted; to become angry or hostile.
Weapons of offense
those which are used in attack, in distinction from those of defense, which are used to repel.