Edit page | Page history | Printable version

offend

1. To strike against; to attack; to assail.

2. To displease; to make angry; to affront. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. (Prov. Xviii. 19)

3. To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to annoy; as, strong light offends the eye; to offend the conscience.

4. To transgress; to violate; to sin against. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law. (Shak)

5. To oppose or obstruct in duty; to cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall. Who hath you misboden or offended. (Chaucer) If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off. (Matt. V. 29, 3O) Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. (Ps. Cxix. 165)

Origin: OF. Offendre, L. Offendere, offensum; ob (see Ob-) _ fendere (in comp) to thrust, dash. See Defend.