Offence əˈfens Capital Aware Committed Latin Noun Bre

• a criminal/serious/minor/sexual, etc. offence
• a first offence (= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)
• a capital offence (= one for which somebody may be punished by death)
• he was not aware that he had committed an offence.

offence

1. an illegal act
• synonym crime
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/crime
• a criminal/serious/minor/sexual, etc. offence
• a first offence (= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)
• a capital offence (= one for which somebody may be punished by death)
• He was not aware that he had committed an offence.
• an offence against society/humanity/the state
• New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns.
2. the act of upsetting or insulting somebody
• I'm sure he meant no offence when he said that.
• The photo may cause offence to some people.
• No one will take offence (= feel upset or insulted) if you leave early.
• Don't be so quick to take offence.
3. used to say that you do not mean to upset or insult somebody by something you say or do
• No offence, but I'd really like to be on my own.

Extra Examples

• I didn’t mean to give offence to anyone.
• Motorists may be fined on the spot for driving offences such as speeding.
• No offence intended, but are you sure your calculations are right?
• The offence is punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment.
• offences against public decency
• Don’t be so quick to take offence.
• He was given a warning since it was a first offence.
• I’m sure he meant no offence when he said that.
• It is a criminal offence to inflict cruelty on any wild animal.
• No one will take offence if you leave early.
• She was not aware that she had committed an offence.
• The photo on the cover of the book may cause offence to some people.
• The rebels could face charges of treason, a capital offence.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French offens ‘misdeed’, from Latin offensus ‘annoyance’, reinforced by French offense, from Latin offensa ‘a striking against, a hurt, or displeasure’; based on Latin offendere ‘strike against’.