Offences

/əˈfɛnsɪz/ noun

Definition

Breaches of law or rules; illegal actions or crimes (British spelling) or feelings of anger from being insulted.

Etymology

From Old French 'offendre' meaning 'to strike against,' from Latin 'offendere' (off + fendere), literally 'to strike against someone's honor or law.'

Kelly Says

British and American English split on spelling here—'offences' (British) versus 'offenses' (American)—but both words come from the idea of 'striking against' society's rules, which is why minor crimes and major insults use the same root word.

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