offensant

Offensant is an English noun that denotes a person or thing that offends. It is an archaic or rare term, found mainly in historical writings, linguistic discussions, or translations of Old French legal language. In modern English, the term is largely supplanted by "offender" for a person and by "offense" or "offensive" for an act or quality that causes offense.

Etymology and sense: Offensant derives from Old French offensant, the present participle of offensier "to offend," which in turn comes from the Latin offensus, the past participle of offendere "to strike against; to offend." The sense in English historically centers on one who offends or causes offense and may appear in legal or moral treatises of earlier centuries.

Usage: Because it is uncommon today, offensant is not generally recommended for contemporary writing except when quoting historical sources or when specifically describing older texts. In modern usage, prefer "offender" for a person who commits an offense and "offense" or "offensive" for the act or quality that causes offense. See also offense, offender, offensive.

Example: In the court record, the offensant was charged with a breach of the statute.