Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
Matt. xviii. 7.
This word, like expense, is often spelled with a c. It ought, however,
to undergo the same change with expense, the reasons being the same,
namely, that s must be used in offensive as in expensive, and is found
in the Latin offensio, and the French offense.
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.
Syn. -- Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed; misdemeanor;
trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime; affront;
indignity; outrage; insult.
Of*fense"ful (?), a. Causing offense; displeasing; wrong; as, an
offenseful act. [R.]
Of*fense"less, a. Unoffending; inoffensive.