[əˈfɛnsɪv], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed
(e.g: the allegations made are deeply offensive to us)

- actively aggressive; attacking
(e.g: offensive operations against the insurgents)


Phrases:
- be on the offensive
- go on the offensive

Origin:
mid 16th century: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- ‘struck against’, from the verb offendere (see offend)

[əˈfɛnsɪv], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an attacking military campaign
(e.g: an impending military offensive against the guerrillas)


Phrases:
- be on the offensive
- go on the offensive

Origin:
mid 16th century: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- ‘struck against’, from the verb offendere (see offend)