Verb

To express contempt for the rules by word or action.

* 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance

The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.

To scorn.

* Walton

Phillida flouts me.

* Byron

Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.

Verb

(en verb)

(transitive)  To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult.

*{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=6 citation , passage=‘[…] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”. We nearly crowned her we were so offended . She saw us but she didn't know us, did she?’.}}

(intransitive)  To feel or become offended, take insult.

(transitive)  To physically harm, pain.

(transitive)  To annoy, cause discomfort or resent.

(intransitive)  To sin, transgress divine law or moral rules.

(transitive)  To transgress or violate a law or moral requirement.

(obsolete, transitive, archaic, biblical)  To cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.

* 1896 , Adolphus Frederick Schauffler, Select Notes on the International Sunday School Lessons , W. A. Wilde company, Page 161,

"If any man offend not (stumbles not, is not tripped up) in word, the same is a perfect man."

* New Testament'', Matthew 5:29 (''Sermon on the Mount ),

"If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out."