offensive

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 External links 2 French 2.1 Adjective 2.2 Noun 3 Italian 3.1 Adjective 3.2 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

< French offensif < Latin as if *offensivus < offendere (“‘to offend’”), pp. offensus; see offend.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

offensive (comparative more offensive, superlative most offensive)

1. Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, or hatred

   Some feminists find pornography offensive.

2. (team sports) Having to do with play directed at scoring.

   The offensive coordinator is responsible for ordering all rushing plays.

[edit] Derived terms

• offensiveness

[edit] Related terms

• offend

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

offensive (countable and uncountable; plural offensives)

1. (countable, military) An attack.

   The Marines today launched a major offensive.

2. (uncountable) The posture of attacking or being able to attack.

   He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• offensive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• offensive in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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[edit] French

[edit] Adjective

offensive

1. Feminine form of offensif.

[edit] Noun

offensive f. (plural offensives)

1. An offensive (military attack).

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[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

offensive f.

1. Feminine plural form of offensivo.

[edit] Noun

offensive f.

1. Plural form of offensiva.