offender
(əˈfɛndə(r))
Also 5–6 -our, 6–7 -or.
[f. offend v. + -er1, or a. AF. *offendour.]
One who offends, who transgresses a law, or infringes a rule or regulation; one who gives offence, displeases, or excites resentment; † an assailant (obs.). In Law. One who commits an offence (sense 7 b). See also first offender s.v. first a. (n.) and adv. C. 2; old offender s.v. old a. (adv., n.1) D. 4.
juvenile offender, a person under a certain age (14 or 16) who commits an offence, and for whose case special statutes have been passed. first offender, one who has committed a first offence, and obtains the conditional remission of punishment provided by the ‘First Offenders' Act’ of 1888, etc.
| 1464 Rolls of Parlt. V. 568/2 An Action therof ayenst the seid offendour. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 51 b, A synner and offender of god. 1532–3 Act 24 Hen. VIII, c. 4 They shall haue full power..to make proces agayne the offendours of this acte. 1552 Bk. Com. Prayer Gen. Conf., Haue mercy vpon vs miserable offendors. 1665 Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 843 Spinola..proceeded against them as Offenders against the Law. 1794 Hope's new Meth. Fencing 219 As I have put Restrictions upon the Defender, so the Offender or Thruster must be likewise limited. 1847 Act 10 & 11 Vict. c. 82 An Act for the more speedy Trial and Punishment of Juvenile Offenders... In certain Cases, to ensure the more speedy Trial of Juvenile Offenders..it is expedient to allow of such Offenders being proceeded against in a more summary manner than is now by Law provided. 1854 Act 17 & 18 Vict. c. 86 An Act for the better Care and Reformation of Youthful Offenders in Great Britain... Whereas Reformatory Schools for the better training of Juvenile Offenders have been..established. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 47 A blow or an abusive expression subjected the offender to a fine. |