offset

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

/ noun, adjective ˈɔfˌsɛt, ˈɒf-; verb ˌɔfˈsɛt, ˌɒf- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR offset ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

17 match, parallel; counterweight, counterpoise; counteract.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR offset ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby offset

offload, offprint, offscouring, offscourings, offscreen, offset, offset lithography, offset printing, offshoot, offshore, offshore dock

Example sentences from the Web for offsetting

When it comes to offsetting the negativity of disgust, does pride really work just as well as serenity?

Barbara Fredrickson’s Bestselling ‘Positivity’ Is Trashed by a New Study |Will Wilkinson |August 16, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
After two years, the middle-class cuts would also expire unless Congress paid for them with offsetting savings or tax increases.

In Second Term, What Will Obama Do About Bush Tax Cuts? |Noam Scheiber |March 2, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
But as the economy strengthens, interest rates will rise, offsetting some of the recovery's beneficial effect on the deficit.

How Obama's State of the Union Muddied the Budget Debate |Robert J. Samuelson |January 26, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
The offsetting obligation to pay claims is contingent, unfixed and off on the horizon.

Where Buffett Has His Money Now |Scott Horton |November 19, 2008 |DAILY BEAST

With all New York's bad points--and they are as plentiful as her church spires and charity bazaars--she has one offsetting virtue.

Friday, the Thirteenth |Thomas W. Lawson
As offsetting this, however, Coquenil secured information that connected Mrs. Wilmott directly with Martinez.

Through the Wall |Cleveland Moffett
The churning propellers, offsetting, turned her in her tracks.

Blow The Man Down |Holman Day
This conception combines two essentially irreconcilable ideas, offsetting each by the other.

Elements of Folk Psychology |Wilhelm Wundt
Offsetting pipe is a very convenient way of getting the pipe or fittings back to the wall for support.

Elements of Plumbing |Samuel Dibble

British Dictionary definitions for offsetting

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 offsetting

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.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

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