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Added 9 October 2026

offense

/əˈfɛns/ noun

In Latin: offensa Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about offense at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others.
A feeling of anger caused by being offended.
he took offence at my question
A transgression that constitutes a violation of what is judged to be right.

Origin

From Middle English offence, from Old French offense, from Latin offensa (“a striking against; displeasure; injury”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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