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Simple English definitions for legal terms
offensive
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A quick definition of offensive:
Offensive means something that is used for attacking or causing harm. It can also mean something that is unpleasant or disgusting to our senses, like a bad smell. When we say something is offensive, it means it makes us angry or upset because it goes against what we believe is right or good. Sometimes, things can be so offensive that they are not allowed to be shown or talked about in public because they are considered very inappropriate and disrespectful.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Offensive (pronounced uh-fen-siv) is an adjective that can mean:
- Used for attacking, like an offensive weapon.
- Unpleasant or disagreeable to the senses, like an offensive odor.
- Causing displeasure, anger, or resentment, especially if it goes against what is considered decent or moral. For example, patently offensive language or photographs.
Obscene is a related word that means something is extremely offensive under current community standards of morality and decency. For something to be legally obscene, it must meet three criteria:
- It appeals to the prurient (sexual) interest of the average person in the community.
- It portrays sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, as defined by state law.
- It lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
For example, a movie that shows explicit sexual acts in a way that is not artistic or educational could be considered obscene.
The examples illustrate how something can be offensive or obscene if it goes against what is considered decent or moral. Offensive language or images can cause anger or resentment, while obscene material is considered grossly repugnant to generally accepted notions of what is appropriate.