/spin"awf', -of'/ , n.
1. Com. a process of reorganizing a corporate structure whereby the capital stock of a division or subsidiary of a corporation or of a newly affiliated company is transferred to the stockholders of the parent corporation without an exchange of any part of the stock of the latter. Cf. split-off (def. 3), split-up (def. 3).
2. any product that is an adaption, outgrowth, or development of another similar product: The paperback is a spin-off from the large hardcover encyclopedia.
3. a secondary or incidental product or effect derived from technological development in a somewhat unrelated area.
Also, spinoff .
[ 1945-50; n. use of v. phrase spin off ]
Syn. 2, 3. by-product, issue, offshoot.