- offense
- late 14c., "hurt, harm, injury, pain," from O.Fr. offense, from L. offensa "an offense, injury, a striking against," properly fem. pp. of offendere (see offend). Meaning "action of attacking" and "feeling of being hurt" are both first recorded c.1400. Sense of "breach of the law, transgression" is first recorded late 14c. Sporting sense first recorded 1912 (in adj., offensive).