offensiveadj.n.

Brit.

/əˈfɛnsɪv/, U.S.

/əˈfɛnsɪv/,

/ˈɔˌfɛnsɪv/,

/ˈɑˌfɛnsɪv/

Forms: 1500s offenciue, 1500s offensyve, 1500s–1600s offensiue, 1500s– offensive, 1600s offencive, 1600s offensiff; Scottish pre-1700 offencesive, pre-1700 offencive, pre-1700 offensiue, pre-1700 offensiv, pre-1700 offensiwe, pre-1700 offensyue, pre-1700 1700s– offensive.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French offensif; Latin offensivus.

Etymology: Partly < Middle French, French offensif causing offence, liable to cause offence (early 15th cent.), attacking (1538) (partly < offense offence n. + -if -ive suffix, and partly < offendre offend v. + -if -ive suffix, after défensif defensive adj.), and partly < post-classical Latin offensivus that strikes or hits (c1120 in a British source), (of arms) used for attacking (14th cent. in British sources), causing offence (from mid 14th cent. in British sources) < classical Latin offēns- , past participial stem of offendere offend v. + -īvus -ive suffix.With use as noun compare Middle French offensive attack (1587 in phrase aux offensives), post-classical Latin offensiva (neuter plural) attack (1453 in a Polish document). With the phrase to take the offensive compare French prendre l'offensive (1804 or earlier).

A. adj.

†1. Hurtful, harmful, injurious. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adjective]

litherc893

scathefulc900

balefulOE

orneOE

teenfulOE

evilc1175

venomousc1290

scathela1300

prejudiciala1325

fell?c1335

harmfula1340

grievous1340

ill1340

wicked1340

noisomea1382

venomed1382

noyfulc1384

damageousc1386

mischievousc1390

unwholesomea1400

undisposingc1400

damnablec1420

prejudiciable1429

contagiousc1440

damagefulc1449

pestiferous1458

damageable1474

pestilent?a1475

nuisable1483

nocible1490

nuisible1490

nuisant1494

noxiousa1500

nocent?c1500

pestilential1531

tortious1532

pestilentious1533

nocive1538

offensivea1548

vitiating1547

dangerous1548

offending1552

dispendious1557

injurious1559

offensible1575

offensant1578

baneful1579

incommodious1579

prejudicious1579

prejudical1595

inimicous1598

damnifiable1604

taking1608

obnoxious1612

nocivousc1616

mischieving1621

nocuous1627

nocumentous1644

disserviceable1645

inimical1645

detrimentous1648

injuring1651

detrimental1656

inimicitial1656

nocumental1657

incommodous1677

fatal1681

inimic1696

nociferous1706

damnific1727

inimicable1805

violational1821

insalutary1836

detrimentary1841

wronging1845

unsalvatory1850

damaging1856

damnous1870

wack1986

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious

litherc893

scathefulc900

orneOE

teenfulOE

atterlichc1050

evilc1175

wicka1250

scathela1300

deringa1325

unkindc1330

harmfula1340

ill1340

wicked1340

shrewdc1380

noisomea1382

venomed1382

noyfulc1384

damageousc1386

infectivea1398

unwholesomea1400

annoying?c1400

mischievous1414

damnablec1420

contagiousc1430

mischievable?a1439

damagefulc1449

damageable1474

unhappy1474

nuisable1483

nocible1490

nuisible1490

nuisant1494

noxiousa1500

nocent?c1500

hurtful1526

sinistral1534

nocive1538

offendent1547

offensivea1548

dangerous1548

naughtya1555

dispendious1557

offensible1575

wrackful1578

baneful1579

hindersome1580

scandalizing1593

damnifiable1604

taking1608

toadish1611

illful1613

nocivousc1616

mischieving1621

nocuous1627

obnoxious1638

nocumentous1644

vicious1656

nocumental1657

abnoxious1680

dungeonable1691

offending1694

hurtsomea1699

nociferous1706

sinister1726

damnific1727

hazardous1748

slaughtering1811

damaging1856

damnous1870

lethal1942

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > [adjective]

bysenc1375

offensivea1548

nasty1548

beastly1584

whelpish1586

heathenish1592

viperous1593

vermin1602

verminousc1616

unchristian1630

verminian1640

rancida1646

verminly1653

spider-like1655

exceptionable1691

skunky1842

slaggy1943

schmucky1952

grotty1964

grody1965

a1548 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. III. 237 All customys, usages, and maners..that hath byn offensyve to Godds pepyll.

a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) v. sig. H3 Beware in taking aire, Your walkes growe not offensiue to your woundes.

1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum viii. 66 Thunder and Lightning are very offensive, and spoil the Anglers sport.

1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet ii. 289 Water-Fowl..are offensive to the Stomach sometimes, by reason of their Oiliness.

1767 W. Hamilton Let. 29 Dec. in Observ. Vesuvius (1772) 33 The ashes..showered down so fast, that the people in the streets were obliged to use umbrellas, or flap their hats; these ashes being very offensive to the eyes.

1813 H. Davy Elements Agric. Chem. v. 191 A number of chemical substances which are very offensive and even deadly to insects.

1861 Amer. Agriculturist vii. 198/2 A correspondent writes that he puts camphor into the cask where he keeps his peas... He observes that dead bugs are always found in the bottom of the cask... It is well known to many housekeepers, that camphor is very offensive to moths and other insects.

a. Of or relating to offence or attack; attacking, aggressive; adapted or used for purposes of attack; characterized by attacking. Opposed to defensive adj.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > [adjective]

offensable1489

offensivec1555

aggressive1695

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [adjective]

offensivec1555

aggressive1695

aggro1985

c1555 W. Baldwin & T. Palfreyman Treat. Moral Philos. (new ed.) iii. x. sig. Hj^v They beare armour defensiue to defende theyr own euils: and armes offensiue, to assayle the good maners of other.

1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. iii. 147 A power..sufficient..to make warre offensiue, not onely to stande vppon their defence.

1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 3 A whole armorie of weapons, both offensiue and defensiue.

1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 322 A long muzzle, her teeth sharp, and offensive.

1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 16 Conjunction with them in a league Offensive and Defensive against their common enemies.

1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxx. 143 The four magazines and manufactures of offensive and defensive arms.

1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) III. 229 Ducetius now felt himself strong enough to attempt some offensive movements against the Greeks.

1847 T. N. Savage in Boston Jrnl. Nat. Hist. 5 424 They [sc. Gorillas] are exceedingly ferocious, and always offensive in their habits.

1968 C. Brooke-Rose Between 34 I recall also the long discussions we had as to which weapons one could call offensive and which defensive, and our conclusion reached late one night in a café, that the offensiveness or defensiveness of a weapon depended on whether one stood in front of it or behind it.

1999 Daily Tel. 25 Jan. 6/1 The offensive potential of biological weapons now outstripped defensive capabilities.

b. Sport and Games (originally and chiefly North American). Of or relating to the offence (offence n. 5b); attacking.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of play, actions, or postures > [adjective] > attack

offensive1886

penetrating1958

penetrative1960

1886 N.Y. Times 23 May 7/3 The Princeton men played a strong offensive game throughout.

1928 G. H. Ruth Babe Ruth's Own Bk. Baseball ii. 23 The change from defensive to offensive play came gradually.

1969 Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard 3 Dec. id/2 They picked Oregon's Bob Moore as the outstanding sophomore offensive back, and he more than lived up to expectations.

1970 Toronto Daily Star 24 Sept. 18/6 Argos had to keep an extra offensive lineman right from the start.

1992 Birmingham Post-Herald 8 Sept. c7/4 He was named SEC Offensive Player of The Week.

2001 Black Belt Sept. 51/2 The term ‘blitz’ is often used to describe an offensive movement (i.e., trying to overwhelm an opponent with explosive forward pressure).

3. Giving, or liable to give, offence; displeasing; annoying; insulting.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > [adjective] > unpleasant

loatha700

unsweetc890

grimlyc893

unquemeOE

un-i-quemeOE

evila1131

sourc1175

illc1220

unhightlyc1275

unwelcomec1325

unblithec1330

unnetc1330

unrekena1350

unagreeablec1374

uncouthc1380

unsavouryc1380

displeasantc1386

unlikinga1398

ungaina1400

crabbedc1400

unlovelyc1400

displeasing1401

eschewc1420

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mislikinga1425

unlikelya1425

unlustya1425

fastidiousc1425

unpleasantc1430

displicable1471

unthankfulc1475

displeasant1481

uneasy1483

unpleasinga1500

unfaring1513

badc1530

malpleasant?1533

noisome1542

thanklessa1547

ungrate1548

untoothsome1548

ungreeable1550

contrary1561

disagreeable1570

offensible1575

offensive1576

naughty1578

delightlessa1586

undelightful1585

unwisheda1586

unpleasurable1587

undelightsomec1595

dislikeful1596

disliking1596

ungrateful1596

unsweet?a1600

distastive1600

impleasing1602

distasting1603

distasteful1607

unsightly1608

undelectable1610

disgustful1611

unrelishing1611

waspisha1616

undeliciousa1618

unwished-for1617

disrelishing1631

unenjoyed1643

unjoyous1645

mirya1652

unwelcomed1651

unpleasivea1656

sweet1656

injucund1657

insuave1657

unpalatable1658

unhandsome1660

undesirable1667

disrelishablea1670

uncouthsome1684

shocking1703

nasty1705

embittering1746

indelectable1751

undelightinga1774

nice and ——1796

unenjoyablea1797

ungenial1796

uncomplacent1805

ungracious1807

bitter1810

rotten1813

uncongenial1813

quarrelsome1825

grimy1833

nice1836

unrelished1863

bloody1867

unbewitching1876

ferocious1877

displeasurable1879

rebarbative1892

charming1893

crook1898

naar1900

peppery1901

negative1902

poisonous1906

off-putting1935

unsympathetic1937

piggy1942

funky1946

umpty1948

pooey1967

minging1970

Scrooge-like1976

sucky1984

stank1991

stanky1991

1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Matius in Panoplie Epist. 114 Neither will I commit any thing, which might seeme scrupulous and offensive [L. quod displiceat].

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 208 Like an offensiue wife, That hath enragde him on to offer strokes.

1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxx. 298 When by long custome the order is once made knowne, it will be no more offensiue.

1703 D. Defoe Let. Nov. in Hist. MSS Comm.: 15th Rep.: App. Pt. IV: MSS Duke of Portland (1897) IV. 76 in Parl. Papers (C. 8497) XLIX. 1 I would do nothing..that should be offensive to my benefactors.

1815 J. W. Croker in L. J. Jennings Croker Papers (1884) I. iii. 62 The Prussians are very insolent, and hardly less offensive to the English than to the French.

1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. ix. 156 The nursery..has its dialect, offensive to the ears of old bachelors.

1908 E. F. Benson Climber 50 ‘Personally I do no think it priggish to do one's duty.’ ‘Sorry; I didn't mean to be offensive.’

1999 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 3 Sept. a10/5 Poking fun at [her] ‘creeping crepe-neck syndrome’ is offensive to those of us women who are over the age of 45.

4. Causing painful or unpleasant sensations; used esp. in reference to taste or smell or sight, or to the moral sensibilities: disgusting, nauseous, repulsive.In later use sometimes overlapping with sense A. 3.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > [adjective]

loatha700

eileOE

andsetec1000

wlatfulc1230

aloathedc1275

wlatsomea1300

unhonest13..

wlata1325

hideousc1330

abominable1340

hatefula1382

hatesomea1382

abominablec1384

odiousa1387

fulsomec1390

accursedc1400

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rankc1400

hateablec1425

odiblec1425

ugsomec1425

wretchedc1430

loathsomec1440

loathfula1450

noisomea1450

abhominal1477

detestable1477

loathy1481

loathing?a1513

oppugnanta1513

irksome1513

hateworthy1548

abhorful1565

ugged1570

detestine1575

ulcerous1577

opposite1578

scandalous1592

offensive1594

obscene1597

ulcered1602

dirtya1616

abhorrent1628

toady1628

envious1630

repugnant1633

nauseating1645

nauseous1646

obnoxious1646

detestful1654

reluctant1663

horrid1666

abnoxious1682

devilish1692

invidious1710

repellent1776

repellant1780

sickening1789

toadish1822

carrion1826

ugging1839

cussed1853

repugnant1879

jerky1944

vomitous1952

barfy1957

1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 6 in Jewell House Such springes as be offensiue in smel.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 213 The Bats..sqweake and call one the other, in most offensiue cryes.

1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 96 The rivers die into offensive pools.

1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne i. 9 The offensive details..could persuade us of the extreme corruption of manners.

1819 J. W. Croker in L. J. Jennings Croker Papers (1884) I. v. 145 I am agreeably disappointed at finding ‘Don Juan’ very little offensive.

1860 E. Eden Semi-attached Couple 20 You know how I hate these London sort of men, with their mustachios and chains and offensive waistcoats.

1886 Law Times 81 59/2 Permitting offensive smells to emanate from certain drains.

1937 Amer. Home Apr. 7/1 (advt.) Don't expect tooth pastes or powders, or ordinary mouth washes to overcome an offensive breath condition.

1988 Antiquity 62 717/2 It is very rare, and to many people offensive, to back-fill a grave immediately on top of the body—some form of roof, or lid, or coffin, is much more likely.

1990 Punch 20 Apr. 40/1 Greavsie's most brutal pasting is reserved for Kevin Keegan, whom he rubbishes..for his lack of ball skill rather than his lavishly offensive hairdo.

†5. Of or relating to a transgression or offence; spec. (of persons, etc.) given to offending; (of things) having the quality or nature of a crime. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > [adjective]

misfaringc1300

fayllarda1325

wronga1382

wrongfulc1384

misdoinga1398

misdeedya1400

wrongdoingc1400

digressinga1535

transgressing1535

offending1552

exorbitant1556

offensive1595

transgressive1646

maleficent1760

transgredient1837

society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > [adjective] > transgressing or offending

misfaringc1300

fayllarda1325

wrongfulc1384

digressinga1535

offending1552

offensive1595

peccant1604

sinning1610

transgressinga1812

transgredient1837

1595 in D. H. Fleming Reg. Minister St. Andrews (1890) ii. 799 That Stevin Philp..for his unreverend speiking without licence in sessioun [etc.]..has transgressit the act [etc.]..and if evir he be offencive agane [etc.].

1607 J. Norden Surueyors Dialogue i. 31 The most offensiue will speake most of theyr wrong.

1609 C. Tourneur Funerall Poeme sig. B4^v Offensive mindes were more discouraged By Mercie, than by Iustice.

1621 R. Brathwait Natures Embassie 133 When thy offensiue life mispent shall grieue thee.

1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iii. vi. 287 Some things are forbidden because they are justly offensive; and some other things are onely therefore offensive because they are forbidden.

†6. Causing offence (offence n. 1b); that is an occasion of spiritual or moral stumbling. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [adjective] > occasion of

offensivea1640

a1640 J. Ball Answer to Iohn Can (1642) i. 110 In a false church..to continue a member..may be scandalous and offencive, an appearance of evill.

B. n.

†1. With plural agreement. With the. Attacking people as a class. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1687 Cynthia 121 With great speed we boarded our Enemies, so that the Offensive were now become the Defensive, and perform'd their parts so ill in maintaining it, that we soon became Conquerors of the other Ship.

2. An attack; aggressive action, or an aggressive act.

a. Usually as the offensive. The position or attitude of attack. (to act, stand, etc.) on (also †upon) the offensive: to adopt an attacking position. to take the offensive: to assume a hostile or attacking position; (also) to undertake a pre-emptive assault.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > attack by hostile measures or words > attitude

aggressive1698

the offensive1712

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > on the attack [phrase]

(to act, stand, etc.) on (also upon) the offensive1838

on the prod1903

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > action

sailing13..

assailing1340

insultation1596

attacking1657

assaulting1675

the offensive1879

1712 J. Gay Mohocks ii. 7 Brothers..I mean, defend the Watch-house..but upon the Offensive.

1720 D. Waterland 8 Serm. Divinity of Christ Pref. 2 In my Vindication..I was chiefly upon the Offensive, against the Adversaries of our common Faith.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. v. 253 Hearing of which the Felons at the Châtelet..stand on the offensive.

1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. 163 We do not know whether..the council now..felt itself strong enough to act on the offensive against him.

1848 Amer. Whig Rev. Oct. 404/1 It was not until the end of May, 1379, that the Genoese took the offensive.

1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 319 He showed no disposition to shut himself up in Mantua, or even to give up the offensive.

1879 A. Forbes in Daily News 13 June 5/6 Haphazard offensive is one thing; judicious offensive quite another thing.

1887 Times (Weekly ed.) 9 Dec. 16/2 France cannot take the offensive, but she can paralyse Germany and Italy.

1930 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 36 487 The engineers here speak on the defensive. The strategy of their defense, however, is to take the offensive at every opportunity.

1972 F. Fitzgerald Fire in Lake vii. 267 Westmoreland took the offensive with a series of ‘search and destroy’ missions against enemy units and base camps.

2001 Chicago Tribune 7 Oct. ii. 3/2 This means going on the offensive by..staging pre-emptive strikes, forcing economic or informational punitive actions,..and making known the audacity of this nation to our foe.

b. An attacking military campaign, esp. one having a specific objective (as the capture of a particular position, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > [noun]

fiend-reseOE

frumresec1275

assault1297

sault1297

inracea1300

sailing13..

venuea1330

checkc1330

braid1340

affrayc1380

outrunningc1384

resinga1387

wara1387

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assailc1400

assayc1400

onset1423

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pursuitc1425

assemblinga1450

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brash1573

attempt1584

affront?1587

pulse1587

affret1590

saliaunce1590

invasion1591

assailment1592

insultation1596

aggressa1611

onslaught1613

source1616

confronta1626

impulsion1631

tentative1632

essaya1641

infall1645

attack1655

stroke1698

insult1710

coup de main1759

onfall1837

hurrah1841

beat-up of quarters1870

offensive1887

strafe1915

grand slam1916

hop-over1918

run1941

strike1942

1887 H. Tovey Elem. Strategy vii. 104 It would certainly have been better if the French army at the outset had been established in rear, at some days' march from the frontier, covered with a defensive line, and some places capable of resistance. It would then have had a good base from which to conduct the offensive.

1905 F. N. Maude Evol. Mod. Strategy xii. 118 A further offensive against the Second Army.

1916 J. Buchan Nelson's Hist. War XIII. 121 A strong offensive in the West might induce the Allies to make a premature counter-attack.

1971 L. B. Johnson Vantage Point xvii. 381 More than a week before the enemy's offensive began Westmoreland sent us a detailed estimate of enemy intentions.

1988 Classical Rev. 38 317 Yet no offensive took place..until 197. The reason for the delay can only be that the war with Macedon took priority.

2001 Observer 4 Nov. i. 2/5 The air bridge could be opened within two weeks, with an offensive launched as soon as ammunition supplies are built up, he said.

c. In extended use. Forceful or aggressive action or movement directed towards a particular end; a sustained campaign or effort. Esp. in peace offensive: see peace offensive n. at peace n. Compounds 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > instance of > an effort > sustained

campaign1770

offensive1943

1918 in S. Sassoon Siegfried's Journey (1945) vii. 72 There are indications that the enemies' peace offensive is creating the danger which is its object.

1943 J. D. Wilson Fortunes of Falstaff i. 1 An excursus on Falstaff published in 1927 is, for instance, one of the more powerful offensives in the perennial campaign which Professor Stoll wages against the romantic school of Shakespearian criticism.

1986 Marxism Today Sept. 19/1 It is known you are a supporter of the equality offensive both within and by the trade union movement.

2001 Revolution 1 Aug. 3/1 Yahoo! UK & Ireland is teaming up with consumer publishing giant Condé Nast and budget airline Go as part of a major offensive on the UK online travel portal market.

Compounds

offensive coordinator n. American Football a member of the coaching staff responsible for managing a team's offence (offence n. 5b).

ΚΠ

1965 News Jrnl. (Mansfield, Ohio) 5 Aug. 25/4 (caption) Fred Steinbrecker, backfield coach and offensive coordinator.

1992 N.Y. Times 19 Jan. viii. 3/1 I met with the offensive coordinator and he went over the position I was going to play.

2009 Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 30 Oct. b2/1 Offensive coordinator Danny Tieken admitted the team has few plays.

offensive line n. American Football the line of attacking players positioned on the line of scrimmage, directly opposite the defensive line; (also) the position of such a player.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player > specific group of players

defensive line1632

rush1881

rush line1882

offensive line1893

strong side1905

backfield1911

platoon1941

secondary1955

suicide squad1960

D-line1971

1893 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Sun 25 Nov. 3/5 The Yale team has the best defense line she has ever put on the gridiron, and her offensive line is fully the equal of former years.

1914 Princeton Alumni Weekly 9 Dec. 281/1 Harvard..played only six men in the defensive line against nine on the Michigan offensive line.

1979 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 20 Jan. s17/2 Toronto has a strong offensive line in Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald and Williams.

2015 Sentinel Echo (London, Kentucky) (Nexis) 20 Mar. Miles is a good enough athlete to play defensive line for us and he could also play offensive line.

offensive lineman n. American Football any player positioned on the offensive line.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player

side tackle1809

nose guard1852

rusher1877

goalkicker1879

quarterback1879

runner1880

quarter1883

full back1884

left guard1884

snap-back1887

snapper-back1887

running back1891

tackle1891

defensive end1897

guard1897

interferer1897

receiver1897

defensive back1898

defensive tackle1900

safety man1901

ball carrier1902

defensive lineman1902

homebrew1903

offensive lineman1905

lineman1907

returner1911

signal caller1915

rover1916

interference1920

punt returner1926

pass rusher1928

tailback1930

safety1931

blocker1935

faker1938

scatback1946

linesman1947

flanker1953

platoon player1953

corner-back1955

pulling guard1955

split end1955

return man1957

slot-back1959

strong safety1959

wide receiver1960

line-backer1961

pocket passer1963

tight end1963

run blocker1967

wideout1967

blitzer1968

1905 F. H. Yost Football for Player & Spectator 257 The relative position of the defensive linemen is shown as compared with the offensive linemen.

1922 R. C. Zuppke Football Technique & Tactics ii. 24 The offensive lineman wishing to force his opponent back, should drive his head directly into the opponent's stomach.

1936 J. DaGrosa Functional Football (1937) 131 Submarine (or Crawfish), the objective of this charge is to stop mass plays when playing between two offensive linemen.

1954 G. H. Allen Encycl. Football Drills 93 The purpose of this drill is to develop speed and skill for the offensive linemen in pulling and executing a trap block.

2007 B. Wingate Football iii. 25 Your offensive linemen block the defenders on the left side to create an opening for the runner.

offensive weapon n. an instrument designed for use in attack, or an object which might so be used; also figurative.

ΚΠ

1653 R. Mead Combat Love & Friendship v. iv. 74 Nay that's unequal, you being arm'd, and he having no offensive weapon but his tongue.

1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xvii. 53 Offensive weapons of all sorts, and military engines, which were deposited in the arsenals.

1859 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire i. xi. 189 The offensive weapons of the army are the bow, spear, javelin, sling.

1940 Ethics 50 155 In the hands of Marsiglio of Padua, the notion that the state was the natural instrument of the common good became a powerful offensive weapon.

1994 Guardian 18 Feb. i. 3/5 Why were they [sc. chainsticks] regarded as more dangerous than other offensive weapons such as knives or hammers?

offensive tackle n. American Football either of the two players positioned toward the outside of the offensive line, typically opposite the defensive ends; (also) the position of such a player.

ΚΠ

1905 Oracle (Monmouth Coll., Illinois) Dec. 24 He will be remembered by Monmouth students as the player who did such effective work at offensive tackle in the Forest-Monmouth game last Thanksgiving day.

1910 Washington Post 5 Sept. 5/2 The offensive tackle will not aid in the play, but will be sent through the line to keep somebody out of the defense.

1973 Internat. Herald Tribune 15 June 15/6 Buffalo—Signed Paul Seymour, Michigan offensive tackle, first-round draft choice, to a multi-year contract.

2004 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 6 Jan. c17/2 ‘Our defense..just put us in so many opportunities to be successful,’ offensive tackle Rodney Reed said.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	offensive
释义	offensiveadj.n. Brit. /əˈfɛnsɪv/, U.S. /əˈfɛnsɪv/, /ˈɔˌfɛnsɪv/, /ˈɑˌfɛnsɪv/ Forms: 1500s offenciue, 1500s offensyve, 1500s–1600s offensiue, 1500s– offensive, 1600s offencive, 1600s offensiff; Scottish pre-1700 offencesive, pre-1700 offencive, pre-1700 offensiue, pre-1700 offensiv, pre-1700 offensiwe, pre-1700 offensyue, pre-1700 1700s– offensive. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French offensif; Latin offensivus. Etymology: Partly < Middle French, French offensif causing offence, liable to cause offence (early 15th cent.), attacking (1538) (partly < offense offence n. + -if -ive suffix, and partly < offendre offend v. + -if -ive suffix, after défensif defensive adj.), and partly < post-classical Latin offensivus that strikes or hits (c1120 in a British source), (of arms) used for attacking (14th cent. in British sources), causing offence (from mid 14th cent. in British sources) < classical Latin offēns- , past participial stem of offendere offend v. + -īvus -ive suffix.With use as noun compare Middle French offensive attack (1587 in phrase aux offensives), post-classical Latin offensiva (neuter plural) attack (1453 in a Polish document). With the phrase to take the offensive compare French prendre l'offensive (1804 or earlier). A. adj. †1. Hurtful, harmful, injurious. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adjective] litherc893 scathefulc900 balefulOE orneOE teenfulOE evilc1175 venomousc1290 scathela1300 prejudiciala1325 fell?c1335 harmfula1340 grievous1340 ill1340 wicked1340 noisomea1382 venomed1382 noyfulc1384 damageousc1386 mischievousc1390 unwholesomea1400 undisposingc1400 damnablec1420 prejudiciable1429 contagiousc1440 damagefulc1449 pestiferous1458 damageable1474 pestilent?a1475 nuisable1483 nocible1490 nuisible1490 nuisant1494 noxiousa1500 nocent?c1500 pestilential1531 tortious1532 pestilentious1533 nocive1538 offensivea1548 vitiating1547 dangerous1548 offending1552 dispendious1557 injurious1559 offensible1575 offensant1578 baneful1579 incommodious1579 prejudicious1579 prejudical1595 inimicous1598 damnifiable1604 taking1608 obnoxious1612 nocivousc1616 mischieving1621 nocuous1627 nocumentous1644 disserviceable1645 inimical1645 detrimentous1648 injuring1651 detrimental1656 inimicitial1656 nocumental1657 incommodous1677 fatal1681 inimic1696 nociferous1706 damnific1727 inimicable1805 violational1821 insalutary1836 detrimentary1841 wronging1845 unsalvatory1850 damaging1856 damnous1870 wack1986 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious litherc893 scathefulc900 orneOE teenfulOE atterlichc1050 evilc1175 wicka1250 scathela1300 deringa1325 unkindc1330 harmfula1340 ill1340 wicked1340 shrewdc1380 noisomea1382 venomed1382 noyfulc1384 damageousc1386 infectivea1398 unwholesomea1400 annoying?c1400 mischievous1414 damnablec1420 contagiousc1430 mischievable?a1439 damagefulc1449 damageable1474 unhappy1474 nuisable1483 nocible1490 nuisible1490 nuisant1494 noxiousa1500 nocent?c1500 hurtful1526 sinistral1534 nocive1538 offendent1547 offensivea1548 dangerous1548 naughtya1555 dispendious1557 offensible1575 wrackful1578 baneful1579 hindersome1580 scandalizing1593 damnifiable1604 taking1608 toadish1611 illful1613 nocivousc1616 mischieving1621 nocuous1627 obnoxious1638 nocumentous1644 vicious1656 nocumental1657 abnoxious1680 dungeonable1691 offending1694 hurtsomea1699 nociferous1706 sinister1726 damnific1727 hazardous1748 slaughtering1811 damaging1856 damnous1870 lethal1942 the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > [adjective] bysenc1375 offensivea1548 nasty1548 beastly1584 whelpish1586 heathenish1592 viperous1593 vermin1602 verminousc1616 unchristian1630 verminian1640 rancida1646 verminly1653 spider-like1655 exceptionable1691 skunky1842 slaggy1943 schmucky1952 grotty1964 grody1965 a1548 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. III. 237 All customys, usages, and maners..that hath byn offensyve to Godds pepyll. a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) v. sig. H3 Beware in taking aire, Your walkes growe not offensiue to your woundes. 1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum viii. 66 Thunder and Lightning are very offensive, and spoil the Anglers sport. 1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet ii. 289 Water-Fowl..are offensive to the Stomach sometimes, by reason of their Oiliness. 1767 W. Hamilton Let. 29 Dec. in Observ. Vesuvius (1772) 33 The ashes..showered down so fast, that the people in the streets were obliged to use umbrellas, or flap their hats; these ashes being very offensive to the eyes. 1813 H. Davy Elements Agric. Chem. v. 191 A number of chemical substances which are very offensive and even deadly to insects. 1861 Amer. Agriculturist vii. 198/2 A correspondent writes that he puts camphor into the cask where he keeps his peas... He observes that dead bugs are always found in the bottom of the cask... It is well known to many housekeepers, that camphor is very offensive to moths and other insects. 2. a. Of or relating to offence or attack; attacking, aggressive; adapted or used for purposes of attack; characterized by attacking. Opposed to defensive adj. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > [adjective] offensable1489 offensivec1555 aggressive1695 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [adjective] offensivec1555 aggressive1695 aggro1985 c1555 W. Baldwin & T. Palfreyman Treat. Moral Philos. (new ed.) iii. x. sig. Hj^v They beare armour defensiue to defende theyr own euils: and armes offensiue, to assayle the good maners of other. 1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. iii. 147 A power..sufficient..to make warre offensiue, not onely to stande vppon their defence. 1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 3 A whole armorie of weapons, both offensiue and defensiue. 1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 322 A long muzzle, her teeth sharp, and offensive. 1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 16 Conjunction with them in a league Offensive and Defensive against their common enemies. 1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxx. 143 The four magazines and manufactures of offensive and defensive arms. 1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) III. 229 Ducetius now felt himself strong enough to attempt some offensive movements against the Greeks. 1847 T. N. Savage in Boston Jrnl. Nat. Hist. 5 424 They [sc. Gorillas] are exceedingly ferocious, and always offensive in their habits. 1968 C. Brooke-Rose Between 34 I recall also the long discussions we had as to which weapons one could call offensive and which defensive, and our conclusion reached late one night in a café, that the offensiveness or defensiveness of a weapon depended on whether one stood in front of it or behind it. 1999 Daily Tel. 25 Jan. 6/1 The offensive potential of biological weapons now outstripped defensive capabilities. b. Sport and Games (originally and chiefly North American). Of or relating to the offence (offence n. 5b); attacking. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of play, actions, or postures > [adjective] > attack offensive1886 penetrating1958 penetrative1960 1886 N.Y. Times 23 May 7/3 The Princeton men played a strong offensive game throughout. 1928 G. H. Ruth Babe Ruth's Own Bk. Baseball ii. 23 The change from defensive to offensive play came gradually. 1969 Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard 3 Dec. id/2 They picked Oregon's Bob Moore as the outstanding sophomore offensive back, and he more than lived up to expectations. 1970 Toronto Daily Star 24 Sept. 18/6 Argos had to keep an extra offensive lineman right from the start. 1992 Birmingham Post-Herald 8 Sept. c7/4 He was named SEC Offensive Player of The Week. 2001 Black Belt Sept. 51/2 The term ‘blitz’ is often used to describe an offensive movement (i.e., trying to overwhelm an opponent with explosive forward pressure). 3. Giving, or liable to give, offence; displeasing; annoying; insulting. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > [adjective] > unpleasant loatha700 unsweetc890 grimlyc893 unquemeOE un-i-quemeOE evila1131 sourc1175 illc1220 unhightlyc1275 unwelcomec1325 unblithec1330 unnetc1330 unrekena1350 unagreeablec1374 uncouthc1380 unsavouryc1380 displeasantc1386 unlikinga1398 ungaina1400 crabbedc1400 unlovelyc1400 displeasing1401 eschewc1420 unsoot1420 mislikinga1425 unlikelya1425 unlustya1425 fastidiousc1425 unpleasantc1430 displicable1471 unthankfulc1475 displeasant1481 uneasy1483 unpleasinga1500 unfaring1513 badc1530 malpleasant?1533 noisome1542 thanklessa1547 ungrate1548 untoothsome1548 ungreeable1550 contrary1561 disagreeable1570 offensible1575 offensive1576 naughty1578 delightlessa1586 undelightful1585 unwisheda1586 unpleasurable1587 undelightsomec1595 dislikeful1596 disliking1596 ungrateful1596 unsweet?a1600 distastive1600 impleasing1602 distasting1603 distasteful1607 unsightly1608 undelectable1610 disgustful1611 unrelishing1611 waspisha1616 undeliciousa1618 unwished-for1617 disrelishing1631 unenjoyed1643 unjoyous1645 mirya1652 unwelcomed1651 unpleasivea1656 sweet1656 injucund1657 insuave1657 unpalatable1658 unhandsome1660 undesirable1667 disrelishablea1670 uncouthsome1684 shocking1703 nasty1705 embittering1746 indelectable1751 undelightinga1774 nice and ——1796 unenjoyablea1797 ungenial1796 uncomplacent1805 ungracious1807 bitter1810 rotten1813 uncongenial1813 quarrelsome1825 grimy1833 nice1836 unrelished1863 bloody1867 unbewitching1876 ferocious1877 displeasurable1879 rebarbative1892 charming1893 crook1898 naar1900 peppery1901 negative1902 poisonous1906 off-putting1935 unsympathetic1937 piggy1942 funky1946 umpty1948 pooey1967 minging1970 Scrooge-like1976 sucky1984 stank1991 stanky1991 1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Matius in Panoplie Epist. 114 Neither will I commit any thing, which might seeme scrupulous and offensive [L. quod displiceat]. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 208 Like an offensiue wife, That hath enragde him on to offer strokes. View more context for this quotation 1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxx. 298 When by long custome the order is once made knowne, it will be no more offensiue. 1703 D. Defoe Let. Nov. in Hist. MSS Comm.: 15th Rep.: App. Pt. IV: MSS Duke of Portland (1897) IV. 76 in Parl. Papers (C. 8497) XLIX. 1 I would do nothing..that should be offensive to my benefactors. 1815 J. W. Croker in L. J. Jennings Croker Papers (1884) I. iii. 62 The Prussians are very insolent, and hardly less offensive to the English than to the French. 1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. ix. 156 The nursery..has its dialect, offensive to the ears of old bachelors. 1908 E. F. Benson Climber 50 ‘Personally I do no think it priggish to do one's duty.’ ‘Sorry; I didn't mean to be offensive.’ 1999 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 3 Sept. a10/5 Poking fun at [her] ‘creeping crepe-neck syndrome’ is offensive to those of us women who are over the age of 45. 4. Causing painful or unpleasant sensations; used esp. in reference to taste or smell or sight, or to the moral sensibilities: disgusting, nauseous, repulsive.In later use sometimes overlapping with sense A. 3. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > [adjective] loatha700 eileOE andsetec1000 wlatfulc1230 aloathedc1275 wlatsomea1300 unhonest13.. wlata1325 hideousc1330 abominable1340 hatefula1382 hatesomea1382 abominablec1384 odiousa1387 fulsomec1390 accursedc1400 hatousc1400 rankc1400 hateablec1425 odiblec1425 ugsomec1425 wretchedc1430 loathsomec1440 loathfula1450 noisomea1450 abhominal1477 detestable1477 loathy1481 loathing?a1513 oppugnanta1513 irksome1513 hateworthy1548 abhorful1565 ugged1570 detestine1575 ulcerous1577 opposite1578 scandalous1592 offensive1594 obscene1597 ulcered1602 dirtya1616 abhorrent1628 toady1628 envious1630 repugnant1633 nauseating1645 nauseous1646 obnoxious1646 detestful1654 reluctant1663 horrid1666 abnoxious1682 devilish1692 invidious1710 repellent1776 repellant1780 sickening1789 toadish1822 carrion1826 ugging1839 cussed1853 repugnant1879 jerky1944 vomitous1952 barfy1957 1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 6 in Jewell House Such springes as be offensiue in smel. 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 213 The Bats..sqweake and call one the other, in most offensiue cryes. 1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 96 The rivers die into offensive pools. 1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne i. 9 The offensive details..could persuade us of the extreme corruption of manners. 1819 J. W. Croker in L. J. Jennings Croker Papers (1884) I. v. 145 I am agreeably disappointed at finding ‘Don Juan’ very little offensive. 1860 E. Eden Semi-attached Couple 20 You know how I hate these London sort of men, with their mustachios and chains and offensive waistcoats. 1886 Law Times 81 59/2 Permitting offensive smells to emanate from certain drains. 1937 Amer. Home Apr. 7/1 (advt.) Don't expect tooth pastes or powders, or ordinary mouth washes to overcome an offensive breath condition. 1988 Antiquity 62 717/2 It is very rare, and to many people offensive, to back-fill a grave immediately on top of the body—some form of roof, or lid, or coffin, is much more likely. 1990 Punch 20 Apr. 40/1 Greavsie's most brutal pasting is reserved for Kevin Keegan, whom he rubbishes..for his lack of ball skill rather than his lavishly offensive hairdo. †5. Of or relating to a transgression or offence; spec. (of persons, etc.) given to offending; (of things) having the quality or nature of a crime. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > [adjective] misfaringc1300 fayllarda1325 wronga1382 wrongfulc1384 misdoinga1398 misdeedya1400 wrongdoingc1400 digressinga1535 transgressing1535 offending1552 exorbitant1556 offensive1595 transgressive1646 maleficent1760 transgredient1837 society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > [adjective] > transgressing or offending misfaringc1300 fayllarda1325 wrongfulc1384 digressinga1535 offending1552 offensive1595 peccant1604 sinning1610 transgressinga1812 transgredient1837 1595 in D. H. Fleming Reg. Minister St. Andrews (1890) ii. 799 That Stevin Philp..for his unreverend speiking without licence in sessioun [etc.]..has transgressit the act [etc.]..and if evir he be offencive agane [etc.]. 1607 J. Norden Surueyors Dialogue i. 31 The most offensiue will speake most of theyr wrong. 1609 C. Tourneur Funerall Poeme sig. B4^v Offensive mindes were more discouraged By Mercie, than by Iustice. 1621 R. Brathwait Natures Embassie 133 When thy offensiue life mispent shall grieue thee. 1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iii. vi. 287 Some things are forbidden because they are justly offensive; and some other things are onely therefore offensive because they are forbidden. †6. Causing offence (offence n. 1b); that is an occasion of spiritual or moral stumbling. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [adjective] > occasion of offensivea1640 a1640 J. Ball Answer to Iohn Can (1642) i. 110 In a false church..to continue a member..may be scandalous and offencive, an appearance of evill. B. n. †1. With plural agreement. With the. Attacking people as a class. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1687 Cynthia 121 With great speed we boarded our Enemies, so that the Offensive were now become the Defensive, and perform'd their parts so ill in maintaining it, that we soon became Conquerors of the other Ship. 2. An attack; aggressive action, or an aggressive act. a. Usually as the offensive. The position or attitude of attack. (to act, stand, etc.) on (also †upon) the offensive: to adopt an attacking position. to take the offensive: to assume a hostile or attacking position; (also) to undertake a pre-emptive assault. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > attack by hostile measures or words > attitude aggressive1698 the offensive1712 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > on the attack [phrase] (to act, stand, etc.) on (also upon) the offensive1838 on the prod1903 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > action sailing13.. assailing1340 insultation1596 attacking1657 assaulting1675 the offensive1879 1712 J. Gay Mohocks ii. 7 Brothers..I mean, defend the Watch-house..but upon the Offensive. 1720 D. Waterland 8 Serm. Divinity of Christ Pref. 2 In my Vindication..I was chiefly upon the Offensive, against the Adversaries of our common Faith. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. v. 253 Hearing of which the Felons at the Châtelet..stand on the offensive. 1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. 163 We do not know whether..the council now..felt itself strong enough to act on the offensive against him. 1848 Amer. Whig Rev. Oct. 404/1 It was not until the end of May, 1379, that the Genoese took the offensive. 1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 319 He showed no disposition to shut himself up in Mantua, or even to give up the offensive. 1879 A. Forbes in Daily News 13 June 5/6 Haphazard offensive is one thing; judicious offensive quite another thing. 1887 Times (Weekly ed.) 9 Dec. 16/2 France cannot take the offensive, but she can paralyse Germany and Italy. 1930 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 36 487 The engineers here speak on the defensive. The strategy of their defense, however, is to take the offensive at every opportunity. 1972 F. Fitzgerald Fire in Lake vii. 267 Westmoreland took the offensive with a series of ‘search and destroy’ missions against enemy units and base camps. 2001 Chicago Tribune 7 Oct. ii. 3/2 This means going on the offensive by..staging pre-emptive strikes, forcing economic or informational punitive actions,..and making known the audacity of this nation to our foe. b. An attacking military campaign, esp. one having a specific objective (as the capture of a particular position, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > [noun] fiend-reseOE frumresec1275 assault1297 sault1297 inracea1300 sailing13.. venuea1330 checkc1330 braid1340 affrayc1380 outrunningc1384 resinga1387 wara1387 riota1393 assailc1400 assayc1400 onset1423 rake?a1425 pursuitc1425 assemblinga1450 brunta1450 oncominga1450 assembly1487 envaya1500 oncomea1500 shovea1500 front1523 scry1523 attemptate1524 assaulting1548 push1565 brash1573 attempt1584 affront?1587 pulse1587 affret1590 saliaunce1590 invasion1591 assailment1592 insultation1596 aggressa1611 onslaught1613 source1616 confronta1626 impulsion1631 tentative1632 essaya1641 infall1645 attack1655 stroke1698 insult1710 coup de main1759 onfall1837 hurrah1841 beat-up of quarters1870 offensive1887 strafe1915 grand slam1916 hop-over1918 run1941 strike1942 1887 H. Tovey Elem. Strategy vii. 104 It would certainly have been better if the French army at the outset had been established in rear, at some days' march from the frontier, covered with a defensive line, and some places capable of resistance. It would then have had a good base from which to conduct the offensive. 1905 F. N. Maude Evol. Mod. Strategy xii. 118 A further offensive against the Second Army. 1916 J. Buchan Nelson's Hist. War XIII. 121 A strong offensive in the West might induce the Allies to make a premature counter-attack. 1971 L. B. Johnson Vantage Point xvii. 381 More than a week before the enemy's offensive began Westmoreland sent us a detailed estimate of enemy intentions. 1988 Classical Rev. 38 317 Yet no offensive took place..until 197. The reason for the delay can only be that the war with Macedon took priority. 2001 Observer 4 Nov. i. 2/5 The air bridge could be opened within two weeks, with an offensive launched as soon as ammunition supplies are built up, he said. c. In extended use. Forceful or aggressive action or movement directed towards a particular end; a sustained campaign or effort. Esp. in peace offensive: see peace offensive n. at peace n. Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > instance of > an effort > sustained campaign1770 offensive1943 1918 in S. Sassoon Siegfried's Journey (1945) vii. 72 There are indications that the enemies' peace offensive is creating the danger which is its object. 1943 J. D. Wilson Fortunes of Falstaff i. 1 An excursus on Falstaff published in 1927 is, for instance, one of the more powerful offensives in the perennial campaign which Professor Stoll wages against the romantic school of Shakespearian criticism. 1986 Marxism Today Sept. 19/1 It is known you are a supporter of the equality offensive both within and by the trade union movement. 2001 Revolution 1 Aug. 3/1 Yahoo! UK & Ireland is teaming up with consumer publishing giant Condé Nast and budget airline Go as part of a major offensive on the UK online travel portal market. Compounds offensive coordinator n. American Football a member of the coaching staff responsible for managing a team's offence (offence n. 5b). ΚΠ 1965 News Jrnl. (Mansfield, Ohio) 5 Aug. 25/4 (caption) Fred Steinbrecker, backfield coach and offensive coordinator. 1992 N.Y. Times 19 Jan. viii. 3/1 I met with the offensive coordinator and he went over the position I was going to play. 2009 Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 30 Oct. b2/1 Offensive coordinator Danny Tieken admitted the team has few plays. offensive line n. American Football the line of attacking players positioned on the line of scrimmage, directly opposite the defensive line; (also) the position of such a player. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player > specific group of players defensive line1632 rush1881 rush line1882 offensive line1893 strong side1905 backfield1911 platoon1941 secondary1955 suicide squad1960 D-line1971 1893 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Sun 25 Nov. 3/5 The Yale team has the best defense line she has ever put on the gridiron, and her offensive line is fully the equal of former years. 1914 Princeton Alumni Weekly 9 Dec. 281/1 Harvard..played only six men in the defensive line against nine on the Michigan offensive line. 1979 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 20 Jan. s17/2 Toronto has a strong offensive line in Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald and Williams. 2015 Sentinel Echo (London, Kentucky) (Nexis) 20 Mar. Miles is a good enough athlete to play defensive line for us and he could also play offensive line. offensive lineman n. American Football any player positioned on the offensive line. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player side tackle1809 nose guard1852 rusher1877 goalkicker1879 quarterback1879 runner1880 quarter1883 full back1884 left guard1884 snap-back1887 snapper-back1887 running back1891 tackle1891 defensive end1897 guard1897 interferer1897 receiver1897 defensive back1898 defensive tackle1900 safety man1901 ball carrier1902 defensive lineman1902 homebrew1903 offensive lineman1905 lineman1907 returner1911 signal caller1915 rover1916 interference1920 punt returner1926 pass rusher1928 tailback1930 safety1931 blocker1935 faker1938 scatback1946 linesman1947 flanker1953 platoon player1953 corner-back1955 pulling guard1955 split end1955 return man1957 slot-back1959 strong safety1959 wide receiver1960 line-backer1961 pocket passer1963 tight end1963 run blocker1967 wideout1967 blitzer1968 1905 F. H. Yost Football for Player & Spectator 257 The relative position of the defensive linemen is shown as compared with the offensive linemen. 1922 R. C. Zuppke Football Technique & Tactics ii. 24 The offensive lineman wishing to force his opponent back, should drive his head directly into the opponent's stomach. 1936 J. DaGrosa Functional Football (1937) 131 Submarine (or Crawfish), the objective of this charge is to stop mass plays when playing between two offensive linemen. 1954 G. H. Allen Encycl. Football Drills 93 The purpose of this drill is to develop speed and skill for the offensive linemen in pulling and executing a trap block. 2007 B. Wingate Football iii. 25 Your offensive linemen block the defenders on the left side to create an opening for the runner. offensive weapon n. an instrument designed for use in attack, or an object which might so be used; also figurative. ΚΠ 1653 R. Mead Combat Love & Friendship v. iv. 74 Nay that's unequal, you being arm'd, and he having no offensive weapon but his tongue. 1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xvii. 53 Offensive weapons of all sorts, and military engines, which were deposited in the arsenals. 1859 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire i. xi. 189 The offensive weapons of the army are the bow, spear, javelin, sling. 1940 Ethics 50 155 In the hands of Marsiglio of Padua, the notion that the state was the natural instrument of the common good became a powerful offensive weapon. 1994 Guardian 18 Feb. i. 3/5 Why were they [sc. chainsticks] regarded as more dangerous than other offensive weapons such as knives or hammers? offensive tackle n. American Football either of the two players positioned toward the outside of the offensive line, typically opposite the defensive ends; (also) the position of such a player. ΚΠ 1905 Oracle (Monmouth Coll., Illinois) Dec. 24 He will be remembered by Monmouth students as the player who did such effective work at offensive tackle in the Forest-Monmouth game last Thanksgiving day. 1910 Washington Post 5 Sept. 5/2 The offensive tackle will not aid in the play, but will be sent through the line to keep somebody out of the defense. 1973 Internat. Herald Tribune 15 June 15/6 Buffalo—Signed Paul Seymour, Michigan offensive tackle, first-round draft choice, to a multi-year contract. 2004 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 6 Jan. c17/2 ‘Our defense..just put us in so many opportunities to be successful,’ offensive tackle Rodney Reed said. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.a1548
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