Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OF-FEND', v.t. [L. offendo; ob and fendo, (obs.) to strike, hit, meet, or thrust against. We use the simple verb in fend, to fend off, to fence.]

1. To attack; to assail. [Not used.] Sidney.
2. To displease; to make angry; to affront. It expresses rather less than make angry, and without any modifying word, it is nearly synonymous with displease. We are offended by rudeness, incivility and harsh language. Children offend their parents by disobedience, and parents offend their children by unreasonable austerity or restraint. The emperor was grievously offended with them who had kept such negligent watch. Knolles. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. Prov xviii.
3. To shock; to wound; as, to offend the conscience. Law.
4. To pain; to annoy; to injure; as, a strong light offends weak eyes.
5. To transgress; to violate; as, to offend the laws. But we generally use the intransitive verb in this sense, with against; to offend against the law.
6. To disturb, annoy, or cause to fall or stumble. Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Ps. cxix.
7. To draw to evil, or hinder in obedience; to cause to sin or neglect duty. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out – if thy right hand offend thee, cut it out. Matth. v.