Inoffensive, a.
Etymology: [Pref. in- not + offensiue: cf. F. inoffensif.]
1. Giving no offense, or provocation; causing no uneasiness, annoyance, or disturbance; as, an inoffensive man, answer, appearance.
2. Harmless; doing no injury or mischief. Dryden.
3. Not obstructing; presenting no interruption bindrance. [R.] Milton. So have Iseen a river gintly glide In a smooth course, and inoffensive tide. Addison. -- In"of*fen"sive*ly, adv. -- In"of*fen"sive*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for inoffensive; he lists it under innocent.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.