Offensive
offensive (?), a. (Cf.F.offensif. See Offend.)
1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or
resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive
words.
2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations;
disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell;
offensive sounds. Offensive to the stomach.
Bacon.
3. Making the first attack; assailant;
aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive;
as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.
League offensive and defensive, a leaque
that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any
foe, and to defend one another if attacked.
Syn. -- Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious;
abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful;
opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant;
attacking; invading.
-- Offensively, adv. --
Offensiveness, n.
offensive (?), n. The state orposture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the
act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.
To act on the offensive, to be the attacking
party.
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