Offence

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An act that breaks a law or rule ; a feeling of being hurt or insulted by someone's words or actions
2. A wrongdoing punishable by law or rule ; an emotional reaction of resentment caused by offensive behavior or remarks
3. An illegal or improper act ; the emotional discomfort or indignation resulting from perceived disrespect

Etymology: The Latin "offensa" originally meant a striking against something, as in a blow or a collision, and only later came to mean displeasure or injury. That physical sense is still visible in the verb it grew from, "offendere," which joined "ob-" (against) with "fendere" (to strike). English borrowed the word through Old French "offense" in the Middle English period, and it carried both senses with it from the start: a stumbling block or an injury, and a feeling of hurt or anger. The two modern meanings of the word split along legal and personal lines. The legal sense, a wrongdoing punishable under law or rule, reflects the older idea of an injury committed against a community or an authority. The emotional sense, resentment caused by rude behavior or remarks, grew from the same root of striking or hurting someone's feelings. Both senses trace back to that single Latin image of something hitting against you.

Synonyms: offense, transgression

Antonyms: compliance