offense etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: offense
  • Late Latin: offensa, from offendere "to strike against, to injure"
  • Proto-Indo-European: *h₂ep- "to reach"

Meaning:

  • An act or utterance that is seen as disrespectful, insulting, or harmful to someone or something.
  • A violation of law, rule, or custom.
  • A wrong or injury done to a person or their property.

Origin:

The term "offense" derives from the Latin verb "offendere," which means "to strike against" or "to injure." It is related to the English word "fence," which originally referred to a physical barrier used for protection. The term "offense" was used in a figurative sense to describe an act or utterance that "strikes against" or harms the honor, dignity, or rights of someone.

Over time, the meaning of "offense" has broadened to include any violation of a law, rule, or custom. It is often used in the context of criminal justice, where it refers to an act that is punishable by law. In this sense, an "offense" is synonymous with a "crime."

The term "offense" is also used in sports to describe the team that has possession of the ball or puck and is trying to score. This usage derives from the earlier sense of "offense" as an attack or assault.

offense relate terms

  • offend

    Etymology The word offend originated from the Latin word offendere which means to s

  • defend

    Etymology The word defend derives from the Old French word defendre which itself ori

  • offense

    Etymology Old French offense Late Latin offensa from offendere to strike against t

  • offensive

    Etymology The word offensive comes from the Latin word offendere meaning to strik

  • offence

    Etymology The word offence comes from the Old French word offenser which in turn co

  • offense

    Etymology Old French offense Late Latin offensa from offendere to strike against t

  • defense

    Etymology The word defense comes from the Middle French word defense c 1230 whic

  • umbrage

    Etymology The word umbrage comes from the Old French word ombrage meaning shade o

  • pardon

    Etymology The word pardon comes from the Old French word pardonner which itself come

  • forfeit

    Etymology Middle English forfeiten from Anglo Norman French forfeter from Old French

  • pique

    Etymology Latin pīca pīcus Proto Indo European peikos spotted bird Mea

  • fine

    Etymology The word fine comes from the Latin word finis meaning boundary or end

  • felony

    Etymology Middle English felonie from Old French felonie Old French from Latin fell

  • affront

    Etymology The word affront comes from the Old French word afronter which in turn de