transitive verb
1. obsolete : remove
2.
a. : to put in relief : show up or intensify by contrast
bright with flowers … a sinister brightness … set off by the blackness of the shadows — William Beebe
b. : adorn , embellish
ribbons and laces to set off the faces of pretty young sweethearts — W.S.Gilbert
c. obsolete : to give a flattering description of
d. : to set apart : make distinct or outstanding
dramatic fire that generally sets off the leaders among men — C.B.Forcey
set off the interjected material with commas
3.
a. : offset , counterbalance , compensate
more variety in the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable phases — Geographical Journal
— often used with against
strength of the middle classes … has been their ability to set off, within themselves, intellect against money — Roy Lewis & Angus Maude
b. : to make a setoff of : plead as a setoff
4.
a. : to set in motion : cause to begin
speculation in stocks often sets off speculation in commodities — Kiplinger Washington Letter
sensations of thirst can be shown to be set off by dryness of the mouth — F.A.Geldard
b. : to cause to explode : touch off
lightning may set off nitroglycerin — Stanley Frank
5. : to measure or mark off on a surface : lay off
intransitive verb
1. : to start out on a course or a journey
set off for home
saddled up and set off in pursuit
2. : to smear the next sheet with ink : offset