offset
[ noun, adjective awf-set, of-; verb awf-set, of- ]
/ noun, adjective ˈɔfˌsɛt, ˈɒf-; verb ˌɔfˈsɛt, ˌɒf- /
noun
something that counterbalances, counteracts, or compensates for something else; compensating equivalent.
the start, beginning, or outset.
a short lateral shoot by which certain plants are propagated.
an offshoot or branch of a specific population or family.
any offshoot; branch.
Also called offset printing, offset lithography. Lithography.
- 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.
- the impression itself.
Also called setoff. Printing.
an unintentional transfer of excess or undried ink from one printed sheet to another.
Geology.
- (in faults) the magnitude of displacement between two previously aligned bodies.
- a spur of a mountain range.
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.
Architecture.
setoff(def 3).
Surveying.
- a short distance measured perpendicularly from a main survey line.
- Also called offset line. a line a short distance from and parallel to a main survey line.
Naval Architecture.
any of the coordinates by which any point on a hull being planned is located.
adjective
of, noting, or pertaining to an offset.
Lithography.
pertaining to, printed by, or suitable for printing by offset.
placed away from a center line; off-center.
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.
to counterbalance as an equivalent does; compensate for: The gains offset the losses.
to juxtapose with something else, as for purposes of comparison: to offset advantages against disadvantages.
Printing.
- to make an offset of.
- to print by the process of offset lithography.
Architecture.
to build with a setoff, as a wall.
Surveying.
to establish (a line) parallel to a main survey line at an offset.
verb (used without object), off·set, off·set·ting.
to project as an offset or branch.
to counterbalance or compensate.
Printing.
to make an offset.
Origin of offset
First recorded in 1545–55; after verb phrase
set off
SYNONYMS FOR offset
2
onset.
Words nearby offset
Words related to offset
Example sentences from the Web for offset
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.
Sting and Hillary Are Just Like You: How the Very Rich Play at Being Very Ordinary |Tim Teeman |June 24, 2014 |DAILY BEASTCarbon utilization can offset or even exceed, the additional cost of carbon scrubbing.
And it's been a notorious fact for years that immigration's modest economic benefits are offset by very large fiscal costs.
Our army would have been swelled by the return of our wounded and sick, without any losses to offset our increase.
Who Goes There? |Blackwood Ketcham BensonThe principal purpose would be to offset somewhat the nation's present excess of administrative centralization.
The Governments of Europe |Frederic Austin OggThe Constitution requires that reapportionment or redistricting take place every ten years to offset population changes.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia |Dorothy M. TorpeyThe additional complication introduced by the cut-off relay is more than offset by the saving in complexity of the jacks.
Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 |Kempster MillerXCV, which illustrates a beam resting upon a ledge or offset of the inner walls.
A Study of Pueblo Architecture: Tusayan and Cibola |Victor Mindeleff and Cosmos Mindeleff
British Dictionary definitions for offset
offset
noun (ˈɒfˌsɛt)
something that counterbalances or compensates for something else
an allowance made to counteract some effect
- a printing method in which the impression is made onto an intermediate surface, such as a rubber blanket, which transfers it to the paper
- (modifier) relating to, involving, or printed by offsetoffset letterpress; offset lithography
another name for set-off
botany
- a short runner in certain plants, such as the houseleek, that produces roots and shoots at the tip
- a plant produced from such a runner
a ridge projecting from a range of hills or mountains
the horizontal component of displacement on a fault
a narrow horizontal or sloping surface formed where a wall is reduced in thickness towards the top
a person or group descended collaterally from a particular group or family; offshoot
surveying
a measurement of distance to a point at right angles to a survey line
verb (ˌɒfˈsɛt) -sets, -setting or -set
(tr)
to counterbalance or compensate for
(tr)
to print (pictures, text, etc) using the offset process
(tr)
to construct an offset in (a wall)
(intr)
to project or develop as an offset
Scientific definitions for offset
offset
[ ôf′sĕt′ ]
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. See more at vegetative reproduction.