offset

[ noun adjective awf-set, of-; verb awf-set, of- ]

noun

1. something that counterbalances, counteracts, or compensates for something else; compensating equivalent.
2. the start, beginning, or outset.

   Synonyms: onset

3. a short lateral shoot by which certain plants are propagated.
4. an offshoot or branch of a specific population or family.
5. any offshoot; branch.
6. Also called offset printing, Lithography.
   1. a process in which a lithographic stone or metal or paper plate is used to make an inked impression on a rubber blanket that transfers it to the paper being printed, instead of being made directly on the paper.
   2. the impression itself.
7. Also called setoff. Printing. an unintentional transfer of excess or undried ink from one printed sheet to another.
8. Geology.
   1. (in faults) the magnitude of displacement between two previously aligned bodies.
   2. a spur of a mountain range.
9. Machinery. a jog or short displacement in an otherwise straight and continuous line, as in a pipe, lever, or rod, made to avoid objects or to connect with other parts.
10. Architecture. setoff ( def 3 ).
11. Surveying.
    1. a short distance measured perpendicularly from a main survey line.
    2. Also called offset line. a line a short distance from and parallel to a main survey line.
12. Naval Architecture. any of the coordinates by which any point on a hull being planned is located.

adjective

1. of, noting, or pertaining to an offset.
2. Lithography. pertaining to, printed by, or suitable for printing by offset.
3. placed away from a center line; off-center.
4. placed at an angle to something, as to the axis of a form, shape, or object; not parallel.

verb (used with object)

, off·set, off·set·ting.

1. to counterbalance as an equivalent does; compensate for:

   The gains offset the losses.

   Synonyms: counteract, counterpoise, counterweight, parallel, match

2. to juxtapose with something else, as for purposes of comparison:

   to offset advantages against disadvantages.

3. Printing.
   1. to make an offset of.
   2. to print by the process of offset lithography.
4. Architecture. to build with a setoff, as a wall.
5. Surveying. to establish (a line) parallel to a main survey line at an offset.

verb (used without object)

, off·set, off·set·ting.

1. to project as an offset or branch.
2. to counterbalance or compensate.
3. Printing. to make an offset.

offset

noun

1. something that counterbalances or compensates for something else
2. an allowance made to counteract some effect
3. 1. a printing method in which the impression is made onto an intermediate surface, such as a rubber blanket, which transfers it to the paper
   2. modifier relating to, involving, or printed by offset

      offset lithography

      offset letterpress

4. See set-off
   another name for set-off
5. botany
   1. a short runner in certain plants, such as the houseleek, that produces roots and shoots at the tip
   2. a plant produced from such a runner
6. a ridge projecting from a range of hills or mountains
7. the horizontal component of displacement on a fault
8. a narrow horizontal or sloping surface formed where a wall is reduced in thickness towards the top
9. a person or group descended collaterally from a particular group or family; offshoot
10. surveying a measurement of distance to a point at right angles to a survey line

verb

1. tr to counterbalance or compensate for
2. tr to print (pictures, text, etc) using the offset process
3. tr to construct an offset in (a wall)
4. intr to project or develop as an offset

offset

/ ôf′sĕt′ /

1. A shoot that develops laterally at the base of a plant, often rooting to form a new plant. Many succulents and cacti are propagated by removing offsets and planting them elsewhere.
2. See more at vegetative reproduction

Word History and Origins

Origin of offset¹

First recorded in 1545–55; after verb phrase set off

Example Sentences

Fortunately, Pomplamoose made some money to offset some of these expenses.

From The Daily Beast

He plants a tree in Central America for every bottle of Tru spirits he sells to offset the carbon produced in manufacturing.

From The Daily Beast

The wealthy want to be seen as even more parsimonious, to offset the incriminating millions in their bank accounts.

From The Daily Beast

And the potential growth in those businesses could easily offset the loss of revenues from selling tobacco.

From The Daily Beast

It provides $63 billion in sequester relief, which is partially offset by a $23 billion mix of spending cuts and “fees.”

From The Daily Beast

The Constitution requires that reapportionment or redistricting take place every ten years to offset population changes.

From Project Gutenberg

Russia thought by joining hands with France she would offset the power of Germany and Austria.

From Project Gutenberg

To offset this, I paid Mike $600 a year, and employed his son Joe at $1.75 a day, for twenty weeks.

From Project Gutenberg

The two effects would consequently offset each other under such conditions.

From Project Gutenberg

We find a strong offset to the horror of Aztec cruelty in the very Bible, which we regard as the mainstay of our religious world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• balance
• cancel out
• counteract
• equal
• negate
• neutralize
• outweigh