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The Collaborative International Dictionary
setoff

Offset \Off"set`\, n. [Off + set. Cf. Set-off.] In general, that which is set off, from, before, or against, something; as:

  1. (Bot.) A short prostrate shoot, which takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc. See Illust. of Houseleek.

  2. A sum, account, or value set off against another sum or account, as an equivalent; hence, anything which is given in exchange or retaliation; a set-off.

  3. A spur from a range of hills or mountains.

  4. (Arch.) A horizontal ledge on the face of a wall, formed by a diminution of its thickness, or by the weathering or upper surface of a part built out from it; -- called also set-off.

  5. (Surv.) A short distance measured at right angles from a line actually run to some point in an irregular boundary, or to some object.

  6. (Mech.) An abrupt bend in an object, as a rod, by which one part is turned aside out of line, but nearly parallel, with the rest; the part thus bent aside.

  7. (Print.) A more or less distinct transfer of a printed page or picture to the opposite page, when the pages are pressed together before the ink is dry or when it is poor; an unitended transfer of an image from one page to another; called also setoff.

  8. See offset printing.

    Offset staff (Surv.), a rod, usually ten links long, used in measuring offsets.

Wiktionary
setoff

n. (context finance English) The situation where a bank or similar organisation repays itself money owed by an accountholder out of his or her account.

WordNet
setoff

n. structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly [syn: set-back, offset]

Usage examples of "setoff".

His luggage had arrived from his hotel, the bill had been paid, and shortly before noon the two of them, accompanied by the driver of the previous night, setoff for Bayreuth.

In all cases she was buried out of sight, and the actual prospect of buying a trousseau that would realise the most ecstatic day-dreams might be accepted as a setoff against the doubtful antecedents of a deceased mother--in-law.