offence(offense)
UK[əˈfɛns]US[əˈfɛns]
n
an illegal act; a crime
n
the act of attacking or the players in a team whose main job is to attack in sports
n
a feeling of upset or anger because someone has been rude or shown a lack of respect
Morpheme Breakdown
of
fence
of
fence
Etymology
the word offence originates from latin 'offensa', a noun derived from the verb 'offendere', meaning to strike against. this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'ob-' (meaning against) and 'fendere' (meaning to strike). the literal sense of striking against evolved metaphorically to signify causing displeasure, harm, or a transgression. in english, it absorbed the dual meanings of a violation of law or social norms and, in military and sports contexts, the action of attacking, which is conceptually the opposite of defence.
Analysis
Structure: of + fence
of (from latin 'ob-', meaning against, toward, or in the way of, functioning as a prefix); fence (from latin 'fendere', a variant of 'defendere' meaning to strike or ward off, functioning as the root)
Examples
he was arrested for a serious offence.
the team's offence was unstoppable in the second half.
she took offence at his careless remark.