[əˈfɛns], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act
(e.g: the new offence of obtaining property by deception)

- annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself
(e.g: he made it clear he'd taken offence)

- the action of attacking someone or something
(e.g: reductions in strategic offence arsenals)


Phrases:
- no offence

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French offens ‘misdeed’, from Latin offensus ‘annoyance’, reinforced by French offense, from Latin offensa ‘a striking against, a hurt, or displeasure’; based on Latin offendere ‘strike against’