Crossword Genius

Despise offence initially, then again (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abhor

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'despise' is the definition.
(abhor means to detest)

'offence initially then again' is the wordplay.
'offence initially' becomes 'abh' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'then again' becomes 'or' (both can mean 'alternatively').
'abh'+'or'='ABHOR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abhor that I've seen before include "Find horrible" , "Can't bear" , "Regard with repugnance" , "Loathe, detest" , "Reject" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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