Of*fen"sive (?), 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.
-- Of*fen"sive*ly, adv. -- Of*fen"sive*ness, n.
© Webster 1913.
Of*fen"sive (?), n. The state or posture 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
