offence
Definitions
An illegal act; a breach of a law or rule.
违法行为，罪行；违规
Hurt feelings caused by a rude or upsetting remark or act.
冒犯，得罪；不快
(also offense) The act of attacking; the attacking part of a team.
进攻；（球队的）进攻方
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedof- (against) + fence (strike) = 'a striking against.' The blow itself, named: a strike against the law is a crime, a strike against a person's feelings is an insult (to 'take offence'), and a strike against the enemy is an attack. British spells it offence; American spells it offense.
Root fens still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
- Spelling: offence (BrE) / offense (AmE) — same word.
- 'take offence' vs 'cause offence': you take offence (get upset); something or someone causes/gives offence (upsets others).
- 'no offence': a softener before a possibly rude remark — 'No offence, but...'
- Sport: the 'offense' (attacking side) is mainly an American usage, stressed OF-fense, unlike the verb of-FEND.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Drunk driving is a serious criminal offence.
- 2.
I'm sorry, I meant no offence by that remark.
- 3.
She took offence at his careless comment.