Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Offering \Of"fer*ing\, n.
   1. The act of an offerer; a proffering.

   2. That which is offered, esp. in divine service; that which
      is presented as an expiation or atonement for sin, or as a
      free gift; a sacrifice; an oblation; as, sin offering.

            They are polluted offerings more abhorred Than
            spotted livers in the sacrifice.      --Shak.

   3. A sum of money offered, as in church service; as, a
      missionary offering. Specif.: (Ch. of Eng.) Personal
      tithes payable according to custom, either at certain
      seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain occasions as
      marriages or christenings.

            [None] to the offering before her should go.
                                                  --Chaucer.

   {Burnt offering}, {Drink offering}, etc. See under {Burnt}.
      etc.

Offer \Of"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Offered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Offering}.] [OE. offren, {AS}. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L.
   offerre; ob (see {OB-}) + ferre to bear, bring. The English
   word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the same
   origin. See 1st {Bear}.]
   1. To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to
      sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with
      up.

            Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin
            offering for atonement.               --Ex. xxix.
                                                  36.

            A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
                                                  --1 Pet. ii.
                                                  5.

   2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for
      acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a
      bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.

            I offer thee three things.            --2 Sam. xxiv.
                                                  12.

   3. To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to
      suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as
      an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's
      willingness; as, he offered to help me.

   4. To attempt; to undertake.

            All that offer to defend him.         --Shak.

   5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a
      guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.

   6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way;
      to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.

   Syn: To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice;
        immolate.

Source : WordNet®

offering
     n 1: something offered (as a proposal or bid); "noteworthy new
          offerings for investors included several index funds"
          [syn: {offer}]
     2: money contributed to a religious organization
     3: the verbal act of offering; "a generous offer of assistance"
        [syn: {offer}]
     4: the act of contributing to the funds of a church or charity;
        "oblations for aid to the poor" [syn: {oblation}]