/run"awf', -of'/ , n.
1. something that drains or flows off, as rain that flows off from the land in streams.
2. a final contest held to determine a victor after earlier contests have eliminated the weaker contestants.
3. a deciding final contest held after one in which there has been no decisive victor, as between two contestants who have tied for first place.
4. Also called rundown . a continual or prolonged reduction, esp. in quantity or supply: a runoff in bank deposits; a sharp runoff in business inventories.
5. Stock Exchange. the final prices appearing on the ticker after the closing bell is rung for the trading day.
[ 1850-55, Amer.; n. use of v. phrase run off; (def. 2, 3) see -OFF ]