American Dictionary of the English Language

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Offensive


OFFENS'IVE, adjective

1. Causing displeasure or some degree of anger; displeasing. All sin is offensive to God. Rude behavior is offensive to men. Good breeding forbids us to use offensive words.

2. Disgusting; giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; as an offensive taste or smell; an offensive sight. discordant sounds are offensive to the ears.

3. Injurious.

It is an excellent opener for the liver, but offensive to the stomach.

4. Assailant; used in attack; opposed to defensive; as an offensive weapon or engine.

5. Assailant; invading; making the first attack; opposed to defensive; as an offensive war.

A league offensive and defensive, is one that requires both or all parties to make war together against a nation, and each party to defend the other in case of being attacked.

OFFENS'IVE, noun The part of attacking; as, to act on the offensive