Middle English Dictionary Entry
offens(e n.
Entry Info
Forms | offens(e n. Also offence, offince, af(f)ence. |
Etymology | OF ofense & L offensa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A transgression against God, sin; sinning, transgression; don ~, to sin; commit a sin; don ~ ayenes (to), transgress against (God); commit a sin against (God); werken ~ ayen, commit a sin against (God); withouten ~, pure, without sin; (b) a wrong, an injury; wrong, wrongdoing; of gret ~, very wrong; don ~, to wrong (sb.); do wrong; commit a wrong; don ~ ayen (to), maken ~ unto, perpetrate a wrong on (sb.); putten ~ on, accuse (sb.) of wrongdoing; werken ~, perpetrate a wrong; (c) harm, hurt, injury; (d) discomfort, pain; difficulty; (e) a fault; (f) a violation (of nature, one's conscience).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Phil.1.10 : I preye..that ȝe be clene and withoute offence [L sine offensa] in the day of Crist.
- c1390 Psalt.Mariae(1) (Vrn)663 : Purge þou vr concience..Þat us greue nouȝt vre offence Of wrecches in-parfyt.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)57 : Thoffense which þat he ageyn god wroghte Was nat so greet as thyn.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)812 : He [Oedipus] of Innocence..fil in such offence For which he was punshed.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Judith 5.25 : If noon offense of this puple is bifor her God, we moun not aȝenstonde hem.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)26/1 : Þei haue not þat bitter sorowe..for þe offencis þat ben do to me, as my seruauntis haue.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)195/20 : Þe iȝe..wepiþ..for compassioun of þe offence þat is doon to me, boþe for offence þat her neiȝbore dooþ to me and also for her owne trespas.
- c1450(?1429) Lydg.Prayer KQP (Frf 16)23 : Foryeve the synnes olde and newe Of thy peple, and ther grete offence [vr. affence].
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)118 : I haue offended ȝoure hiȝe maieste in many grete offences and trespasses.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)409 : Usure to god is ful grete offence.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Look TM (Hrl 2255)90 : Blissed is he that nevir did offence.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Timor Mortis (Hrl 2255)25 : Had nought been his [Satan's] greet offence..We had knowe no condicioun Of timor mortis.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)27.44 : Ȝit wolde he neuere to his God Offensse.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)49.312 : O thou God..Of A virgine to be born with-Owten Offens.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2698 : To god he doth displesaunce & offence.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)2447 : Ye moste make offrynge for youre offence.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)2521 : Thai..casten in milke, hony for the offence To-fore Mahoundes face.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)42/232 : In þis fflood þis werd xal be lorn ffor offens to god.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)58/37 : God..wyll..bye us all ffrom oure offens.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)215/176 : Þus for to grugge ageyns godys myght Aȝens hyȝ god ȝe do offens.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Par.PNoster (Trin-C R.3.21)49 : Whateuer offence ys done before In þought, worde, dede, or countenaunce..We aske now grace of repentaunce.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)743 : All þis world was not aprehensyble To dyscharge þin orygynall offence.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)926 : A, lorde! now I brynge to mynde My horryble synnys and myn offens.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)1449 : Mon shuld suffre wo..for Adams grete offens, quen he trespast to God.
- a1500(1465) Leversedge Vision (Add 34193)34 : That good Lord is so mercifull to suche as will be sory for ther synn..that He will forȝif them ther offencis.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)75/20 : If þou coudist..abide meke & litel in þiself..þou shuldist not falle so sone in to perel & into offense.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)796 : The bysshoppe wyll I goo fetche to se owr offens.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1083 : Cosyn myn, what eyleth thee..Why cridestow? who hath the doon offence?
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.3072 : I..foryeue yow outrely alle the offenses, iniuries, and wronges that ye haue doon ageyn me and myne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.614 : Pacience..is the leche of alle offence.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1929 : Þei put on hym swiche offence & blame, Þat reboundeþ to oure alder schame.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3255 : What maner cryme or importable offence Hastow wrouȝt to han swiche recompense?
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2019 : Thow were not wis..To take on the this surquedous massage And presume to do so hegh offence, So boldely to speke in my presence.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)38 : Gladly he wolde fforyeve hym alle his offence and trespace.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)55/11 : Thei required that Helaine myghte be restored aȝen to theime and amendis made for the offence.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)38.466 : That bataille were Of grete Offens, and Ek Egal it Myhte not be.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)8254 : Hym-Self schal don this Sentense To alle tho that to ȝow don ony offens.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)2856 : A litulle offense þey hadden y-do To þe meyer.
- ?a1450(?1350-75) Origo Mundi in Norris Anc.Corn.Drama (Bod 791)1350 : Mar pethaf kelmys lemmyn, offens vythol er-the-byn..parhap y wrussen fye.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)152/16 : He besoght hym to forgiffhym all offensis at he had made vnto hym.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)612/21 : The offence haste thou done..for thou haste put my bretherne and me to a shame.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)5832 : I hadde, thorgh my neclygence, Ther-in don ful gret offence.
- a1475 I knowlech to god (Rwl B.408)56 : The gostely werkes y haue lefte..Neyther forȝeuyng with true pacience Or prayed for þem þat dide me offence.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.419 : This wickede offense and myschefe was commune and vulgare.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)78/26 : The modre of this mayde..wolde nedis that this yong man shulde be dede for that offence.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)3167 : The Innocentz..for Crist martert were with-outen defaut of any offence.
- a1500 When nettuls (BodPoet e.1)p.269 : Whan wyfvys to ther husbondes do no offens, Than put women in trust and confydens.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.38 : Quhat have I gilt to him or doon offens That I am thrall?
c
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2058 : The reuers shaltow se..That wyn ne dooth to folk no swich offence.
- (1411) RParl.3.650b : I, havyng doute of harme of my body..dyd assemble thise persones..nought for to doo harme ne offence to yowe, My Lord the Roos.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.262 : For the richesse, it [a ram with a golden fleece] was kepte in holde..That no man myȝt ther-to doon offence.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1121 : We ment noon offence, Ne toke nat, as by violence..of womman, child, nor man.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.199 : Litel wyten folk what is to yerne That they ne fynde in hire desir offence.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)181a/a : Of helpez of þe wombe..for offensez [Ch.(2): hurtynges; L offensionibus] & fallingz is praised a comon pocioun.
- ?c1425(c1380) Chaucer Form.A.(Benson-Robinson)19 : Ne flesh ne wiste offence of egge or spere.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)1412 : Off trouble humours doth folk ful greet offence, ffor flewme this tyme hath domynacioun.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)7858 : That noon do to other wrong..By fforce nor by vyolence, Hys neyhbour to don offence.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)15883 : Myn hamer..Ys callyd 'persecucioun', Wych doth to ffolk ful gret offence.
d
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5677 : Many a ribaud is mery and baud That swinkith and berith..Many a burthen..The whiche doth hym lasse offense For he suffrith in pacience.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)143/21 : The þridde spice [of aposteme of the throat]..is openly schewed..by more offence [*Ch.(1): offendyng; L offensionem] of þe swolowyng and of breþinge.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)p.129 : Nature..Gaff thys meyde a specyall prerogatyf As moder pured to haue experiens Only of chyldyng and feele noon offence..In travelyng.
e
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)879/96 : Who-so-euere in þe [a book] fynde offence..Þi silfe enarme ay in pacience And þe submitte to her correccioun.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2688 : In a prince it is ful gret offence..Suffre his puple lyven at mescheef.
f
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.505 : Tho thei ladde a merie lif, Which was to kinde non offence.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)92 : He that seeth and hereth many thinges schal ful harde eskape vnclennesse of herte and offense of conscience.
- (1442) Visit.Alnwick51a : The which we may not wythe owte offense of..our conscyence..suffre to passe vncorrected.
2.
A violation of the law, misdemeanor, crime; breach of the rules of a guild; in ~ of, in breach of (the peace).
Associated quotations
- (1429) Proc.Privy C.3.331 : The said constable..to be obeied under suche peines as shal be þought convenable to be executed..in alle þaim þat disobeye or þat be punysshable after þe quantitee of þe offense.
- (1433) RParl.4.479a : Yf any person or persons make any affray in offence of the Kynges pees..he or they leese uch of hem iii s. iiii d.
- (c1437) *Proc.Chanc.PRO ser.C 1 file 9no.265 : Plese to yowr noble grace to conseder thys gret ryot and offences and there vpon to sende several wretys of sub pena direct to ye sayd personys.
- (1439) RParl.5.16a : John Forman..for diverse grete and notables causes and offenses..was lawefully arrested.
- (1447-8) Shillingford77 : The citeseyns..have had, used, and enjoyed jurisdiccions..of alle offencis, dettis, trespasses.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.2 Merch.(Hrl 2255)767 : I my silf haue wrouht this gret offence: To me it fallith tencurren the sentence.
- (1450) RParl.5.179a : Of all the treasons and offenses..We your seid Commens accuse and empeche the seid William de la Pole.
- (1456-7) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.20 : To haue in mynde of awarde made bytwene the felaship of þe Crafte of Peauterers & John Turnor & Richard lawton..as for offence don to þe same Crafte.
- (1471) LRed Bk.Bristol2.130 : The Duc of Clarance hath specially instaunted vs to be gracious lord vnto the Town..Notwithstanding the offenses committed ayenst vs.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)12/37 : Yf any walsshman had passid ouyr armyd..hit had byn a dede-worþi offence.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)138 : The offence ys gret; wherfore hyt desyreth The more greuous peyne.
3.
(a) The causing of displeasure, displeasing; the giving of offense, offending; in ~ of, offensive to (sb.); withouten ~, without causing offense; (b) displeasure, anger, resentment, annoyance; the retribution of the law; (c) don ~, to annoy (sb.); cause offense, offend; taken ~ of, be annoyed or offended by (sth.); withouten ~, without taking offense; (d) a cause of offense or displeasure; withouten more ~, without further provocation; (e) a state of disfavor or disgrace.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.1138 : Who lyued euere in swich delit a day That hym ne moeued..ire or talent or som kynnes affray, Enuye or pryde or passion or offence?
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4563 : Love shall nevere..Here of me..Offence or complaynt..Neither of Hope nor Idilnesse.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4954 : Alle-way sate Partanope hevyly, Thenking..Of fayre Melior..And also in what wyse he myght Wythouten any other offynce Sunnest come to her presence.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)328/45 : Þou schalt flee & eschewe þat is contrarie here-to in offense of me.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.7 : Boecius..Wiþstode hym [Theodoric] evire, sparynge none offence.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)44/30 : To for-ȝeue rancor and offense es a werke of grete necessite.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)63/26 : Þe holy dayes of þat fest þat wer ordeynt yn hegh worschyp to God..now ben turned ynto hegh offence of God.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)653 : Scysme, Rancour, Debate, & Offense, Heresy, Errour, with Idolatry.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.104 : So glad I am of the presence Of hire, that I all offence Foryete.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.4.27 : For no peril that myghte byfallen the by offence of the kyng Theodorik, thou noldest nat be felawe in governaunce with Decorat.
- ?c1430(c1383) Wycl.Leaven Pharisees (Corp-C 296)21 : Crist wol þat men drede no þing principaly but god & his offence.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)79 : Þes feyned þeues..maken men more to dreden anticrist & his peynes..þan almyȝtty god in trinyte & his offense.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.3449 : Salamon..Axed a mene callid suffisaunce..Sobre with his plente, in scarsete noon offence As off gruchchyng.
- (1450) RParl.5.181a : He not dredyng the offence and punysshment of your lawes..embesiled the seid Writtes of exigend'.
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)312 : Who that doth with trouth most his cure, Shal for his mede fynde most offence, That serueth love with al his diligence.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.794 : And if he dede, he had hir offens, For eueremore he covde not after speede.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)177/8 : Sorwyth for ȝoure synne more for þe offens of ȝoure god þan for dreed of helle!
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2072 : The kinges brother in presence Was thilke time, and gret offence He tok therof.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4671 : Þis shold not displese To þi conceit nor do þe noon offence.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)9835 : What wumman koude now obeyin to Swych a comaundement wythoute offence As dede þis myroure of pacyence!
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)18.190 : He tolde his trowblynge with-owten Offens.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)2557 : Meene in voys, nouthir to hih nor baas In moche speche which doth noon Offence..Suych a man is best of complexioun.
- a1475 Ordin.Househ.Grossetest (Sln 1986)215 : Let seruauntis doo perfytely in alle thyngis youre wylle..with-oute gref or offense.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.SPuer(1) (LdMisc 683)20 : With dyssolute langage thou do noon offence To-fore thy souereyn.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)552 : This yong Squyer suerly dede non offence, And thou hast smetyn hym.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)475/18 : And þat He wyll owr tunge Rule & restrayne..That non offence we do wyth wurdes veyne.
d
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.17 : They of Ire, with-oute more offence..On this yle whylom toke vengaunce.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2910 : Lat non offence ben vn-to ȝour lust, Nor ȝou displese, þouȝ I sey my conceyt.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1706 : To ȝour eris late it be noon offence Þat I shal seyn.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2028 : Myn abood to me was noon offence.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)3790 : And also, lord, yf it noon offence Be to þi goodnesse, I desyre moor.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)184 : Yff yt to hys plesauns None offens schul be, thei dysyryd to haue a syte Off Amoryus.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Horns (LdMisc 683)42 : This litel schort dyte..lat it be noon offence To your womanly mercyfull pyte.
e
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.221 : Man..fel out of hiȝe in to lowh..out of homlynesse into offence and wreþþe.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)6.164 : Symeon..seyde in audience, 'Byholde..How he is put in ruyne and offence Of many one here in his region.'
- a1500(a1450) Parton.(1) (Add 35288)5524 : Shente for euer shall ye þen bene, To brynge me in offence and to breke your trowþe.
4.
(a) Attack, assault; armed opposition; don ~, to attack (sb.); (b) a stumbling block; thing of ~, stumbling block, obstacle; (c) ?error for defense.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.1197 : Ye archewyues stondeth at defense..Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)7 : A-fence [Win: Affence], or offence: Offensa.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9700 : Agamynon..did send Nestor..to doghty Achilles, Prayond hom..ffor to buske hym to batell & þo buernes helpe In offence of hor fos.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13911 : In offens of the freike..He drof at hym with þe dart.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)7266 : Ther saw I helmys and haberiouns..And pavys..ffor folk to make resistence Talle that wolde hem don offence.
- a1486 Ordin.Lists in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)307 : Seriauntes of armys..shulde be forto kepe and defende, yif any wolde make any offence [L delictum] or fray ayenst the cries made in the court.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.19.14 : Þou shalt not corse to þe deef, ne byfore þe blynde þou shalt putte þyng of offence [WB(2): an hurtyng; L offendiculum].
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)35 : For þi þat þei ministred to hem [in] þe siȝt of þer idols, þei are mad in þe house of Israel in to offens of wickidnesse.
c
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)244/17 : I woll no lengar here youre excusacions nor offences [vr. affences; F deffences; CQ(1): defences].