- An agent, element, or thing that balances, counteracts, or compensates for something else.
- One thing set off or developed from something else.
- The start or initial stage; the outset.
- Architecture. A ledge or recess in a wall formed by a reduction in thickness above; a setoff.
- Botany. A shoot that develops laterally at the base of a plant, often rooting to form a new plant.
- Geology. A spur of a mountain range or hills.
- A bend in a pipe, bar, or other straight continuous piece made to allow it to pass around an obstruction.
- A short distance measured perpendicularly from the main line in surveying, used to help in calculating the area of an irregular plot.
- A descendant of a race or family; an offshoot.
- Printing.
- An unintentional or faulty transfer of wet ink from a printed sheet to another surface in contact with it. Also called setoff.
- Offset printing.
v., -set, -set·ting, -sets. (ôf'sĕt', ŏf'-, ôf-sĕt', ŏf-) v.tr.
- To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: fringe benefits designed to offset low salaries.
- Printing.
- To cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another surface.
- To produce by offset printing.
- To make or form an offset in (a wall, bar, or pipe).
- To develop, project, or be situated as an offset.
- Printing. To become marked by or cause an unintentional transfer of ink.









