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. "Offensive to the
stomach." Bacon.
3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in
attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive
weapons.
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.
Syn. -- Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious; abhorrent;
disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful; opprobrious;
insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant; attacking;
invading.
-- Of*fen"sive*ly, adv. -- Of*fen"sive*ness, n.
Of*fen"sive (?), n. The state or posture of one who offends or makes
attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed
to defensive.
To act on the offensive, to be the attacking party.
Of"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Offering.]
[OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L. offerre; ob (see OB-) +
ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F. offrir to
offer, of the same origin. See 1st Bear.] 1. To present, as an act of
worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion;
-- often with up.
Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for
atonement.
Ex. xxix. 36.
A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.