Topic: CRIME
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | offendre, from Latin offendere 'to strike against, offend' |
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of‧fend
1 [intransitive and transitive] to make someone angry or upset by doing or saying something that they think is rude, unkind etc : 
His remarks deeply offended many Scottish people.The careful language is designed not to offend.
His remarks deeply offended many Scottish people.The careful language is designed not to offend.2 [transitive] to seem bad or unacceptable to someone : A solution must be found that doesn't offend too many people. Some of these new buildings really offend the eye (=look very ugly).
A solution must be found that doesn't offend too many people.Some of these new buildings really offend the eye (=look very ugly).3 [intransitive] formalSCC to commit a crime or crimes : Many of the young men here are likely to offend again.
Many of the young men here are likely to offend again.4 [intransitive and transitive] formal to be against people's feelings of what is morally acceptable
