Offensive /(?)/

Of·fen·sive

Offensive

a.
  1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.
  2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds.
  3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.

Phrases & Compounds
League offensive and defensive
a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked.

Offensive

n.
  1. The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.

Phrases & Compounds
To take the offensive
to be the attacking party; to initiate hostilities.