Behavior that upsets or hurts someone, or a crime; it can also mean the part of a game that tries to score points.
From Latin "offensa" meaning "a striking against, an injury," from "offendere" (to strike against, displease). It moved from physical injury to emotional or legal harm.
The same root idea of "striking" explains why we use "offense" both for crimes and for sports attacks. In all cases, someone is actively pushing against a rule, a person, or a defense.
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