[set off] vt (1596) 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 ~ vi: to start out on a course or a journey "set off for home"