offence
/əˈfɛns/
noun
Origin
Latin
offendere — to strike against, push against, stumble, or displease
Overview
Meaning Now
- a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
- the action of annoying, insulting, or causing resentment in someone.
- the action of attacking or a military assault.
Literal older meaning
a striking against
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
offense
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word evolved from the Latin 'offendere', originally meaning a physical collision. By the time it entered English via French, it acquired figurative meanings related to psychological harm or legal transgression. In military terminology, it remains linked to the concept of an 'offensive' or attacking posture.
Evolution
- Latin
offendere
“to strike against”
- Old French
ofense
“insult, injury”
- Middle English
offence
“harm, crime, displeasure”
Connections
Word parts
ob-
prefix
against
fendere
root
to strike
Related across languages
French
offense
insult, offense
Spanish
ofensa
offense
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.