I.a. [ob-facio], to come in the way of, to hinder, oppose, thwart, obstruct (class.; syn. obsto).
I. Lit.
(α).
Neutr.: “nunc quidem paululum, inquit, a sole: offecerat videlicet apricanti,” hindered him from sunning himself, stood before him so as to intercept the sunshine, Cic. Tusc. 5, 32, 92: luminibus, to obstruct one's light: “jus vel altius tollendi aedes aut non tollendi, ne luminibus vicini officiatur,” Gai. Inst. 2, 31; Dig. 8, 2, 2; 10; 23; “39, 1, 5 et saep.—So, in a fig.: nec mentis quasi luminibus officit altitudo fortunae et gloriae,” Cic. Rab. Post. 16, 43: “demoliri ea, quorum altitudo officeret auspiciis,” id. Off. 3, 16, 66: “ipsa umbra terrae soli officiens noctem efficit,” intervening before, id. N. D. 2, 19, 49: “cum alii in angustiis ipsi sibi properantes officerent,” Sall. J. 58, 6: “hostium itineri,” id. ib. 52, 6: prospectui, Auct. B. Afr. 52.—
(β).
Act. (only ante- and post-class.): “quapropter simul inter se retrahuntur et extra Officiuntur,” are impeded, Lucr. 2, 156; 4, 763; 5, 776 (iter, Auct. B. Afr. 61, is prob. a gloss).—
II. Trop., to stand in the way of, to oppose, obstruct, to be detrimental or hurtful to, to hurt (cf.: “obsisto, adversor, noceo): promitto tibi non offerturum,” Plaut. As. 1, 1, 97: “cur te mihi offers, ac meis commodis, officio simulato, officis et obstas?” Cic. Rosc. Am. 38, 112; cf. id. ib. 2, 6: “consiliis alicujus,” Sall. C. 27, 4: “timor animi auribus officit,” id. ib. 58, 2: “nomini, i. e. famae, Liv. praef. 1: officiunt laetis frugibus herbae,” hurt by shutting off light and moisture, Verg. G. 1, 69: “lactucae officiunt claritati oculorum,” Plin. 20, 7, 26, § 68.—With quominus: “nec vero Isocrati, quominus haberetur summus orator, offecit, quod, etc.,” Plin. Ep. 6, 29, 6.