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View synonyms for offset

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
    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 letterpress

      offset lithography

  3. another name for set-off
  4. 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
  5. a ridge projecting from a range of hills or mountains
  6. the horizontal component of displacement on a fault
  7. a narrow horizontal or sloping surface formed where a wall is reduced in thickness towards the top
  8. a person or group descended collaterally from a particular group or family; offshoot
  9. surveying a measurement of distance to a point at right angles to a survey line
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

offset

/ ôfsĕt′ /

  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.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of offset1

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

The shopping spree by the rich will not offset the spending cuts by the rest of the population.

From Ozy

Over the years, developers in San Diego have been required to fork over money to offset the impact of their development.

Early hot spots like New York City have cooled off, but that decrease in new cases is offset by a surge in states like Texas, Arizona, California and Florida.

Urchin, Dungeness crab and clam biomass fell when otters were present, but these losses were offset by gains in fish and other invertebrates that rely on kelp.

So I’ve always believed that the euro is problematic, because you’re creating a currency, but without a single banking system, without a fiscal union, without offsets to deal with it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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off-seasonoffset lithography