\Of*fense"\, Offence \Of*fence"\, n. [F., fr. L.
offensa. See {Offend}.]
1. The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin,
   an affront or an injury.
         Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised
         again for our justification.          --Rom. iv. 25.
         I have given my opinion against the authority of two
         great men, but I hope without offense to their
         memories.                             --Dryden.
2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger;
   displeasure.
         He was content to give them just cause of offense,
         when they had power to make just revenge. --Sir P.
                                               Sidney.
3. A cause or occasion of stumbling or of sin. [Obs.]
         Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! --Matt.
                                               xviii. 7.
Note: This word, like expense, is often spelled with a c. It
      ought, however, to undergo the same change with
      expense, the reasons being the same, namely, that s
      must be used in offensive as in expensive, and is found
      in the Latin offensio, and the French offense.
{To take offense}, to feel, or assume to be, injured or
   affronted; to become angry or hostile.
{Weapons of offense}, those which are used in attack, in
   distinction from those of defense, which are used to
   repel.
Syn: Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed; misdemeanor;
     trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime;
     affront; indignity; outrage; insult.