VOCABULARY BUILDER
umbrage
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of shade, from umbratus, past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow; akin to Lithuanian unksm- shadow
Date: 15th century
1: SHADE, SHADOW
2: shady branches : FOLIAGE
3 a: an indistinct indication : vague suggestion : HINT b : a reason for doubt : SUSPICION
4: a feeling of pique or resentment at some often fancied slight or insult <took umbrage at the speaker's remarks>
synonyms see OFFENSE
offense
Variant: or offence, especially for 3
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin offensa, from feminine of offensus, past participle of offendere
Date: 14th century
1 a obsolete : an act of stumbling b archaic : a cause or occasion of sin : STUMBLING BLOCK
2: something that outrages the moral or physical senses
3 a: the act of attacking : ASSAULT b : the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score c : the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions d : scoring ability
4 a: the act of displeasing or affronting b : the state of being insulted or morally outraged <takes offense at the slightest criticism>
5 a: a breach of a moral or social code : SIN, MISDEED b : an infraction of law; especially : MISDEMEANOR
–offenseless adjective
synonyms OFFENSE, RESENTMENT, UMBRAGE, PIQUE, DUDGEON, HUFF mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. OFFENSE implies hurt displeasure <takes deep offense at racial slurs>. RESENTMENT suggests lasting indignation or ill will <harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother>. UMBRAGE may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives <took umbrage at the offer of advice>. PIQUE applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity <in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation>. DUDGEON suggests an angry fit of indignation <stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon>. HUFF implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause <in a huff he slammed the door>.
synonyms OFFENSE, SIN, VICE, CRIME, SCANDAL mean a transgression of law. OFFENSE applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code *at that school no offense went unpunished*. SIN implies an offense against moral or religious law *the sin of blasphemy*. VICE applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts *regarded gambling as a vice*. CRIME implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state *the crime of murder*. SCANDAL applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience *a career ruined by a sex scandal*.