I. ˈȯf-ˌset noun
Date: circa 1555
1.
a. archaic : outset , start
b. : cessation
2.
a.
(1) : a short prostrate lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant
(2) : a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb
b. : a lateral or collateral branch (as of a family or race) : offshoot
c. : a spur from a range of hills
3.
a. : a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above
b. : displacement
c. : an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an object or the part set off by such change
4. : something that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else : foil
5. : an abrupt bend in an object by which one part is turned aside out of line
6. : something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else ; especially : either of two balancing ledger items
7.
a. : unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet)
b. : a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed
• offset adjective or adverb
II. ˈȯf-ˌset, vt senses are also ȯf-ˈ verb
( -set ; -set·ting )
Date: 1792
transitive verb
1.
a. : to place over against something : balance
credits offset debits
b. : to serve as a counterbalance for : compensate
his speed offset his opponent's greater weight
2. : to form an offset in
offset a wall
intransitive verb
: to become marked by offset