Function: transitive verb
Date: circa 1598
1 a : to put in relief : show up by contrast b : ADORN , EMBELLISH c : to set apart : make distinct or outstanding
2 a : OFFSET , COMPENSATE <more variety in the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable phases ― Geog. Jour. > b : to make a setoff of <the respective totals shall be set off against one another ― O. R. Hobson>
3 a : to set in motion : cause to begin b : to cause to explode
4 : to measure off on a surface
intransitive verb : to start out on a course or a journey < set off for home>