mindmap root((违法)) offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code: at that school no ~ went unpunished. sin implies an offence against moral or religious law OR an offense of any sort that is felt to be highly reprehensible: the ~ of blasphemy. vice applies a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts: gambling was traditionally the gentlemen’s ~. crime implies serious offense punishable by the law of the state: the ~ of murder. scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience or damages the integrity of an organization or group: the affair was a public ~.