Off·set v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offset; p. pr. & vb. n. Offsetting.]
 1. To set off; to place over against; to balance; as, to offset one account or charge against another.
 2. To form an offset in, as in a wall, rod, pipe, etc.
 offsetting
      adj : compensating for [syn: countervailing, compensatory, compensative]
 offset
      n 1: the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got
           an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was
           the man for her" [syn: beginning, commencement, first,
            outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time,
            showtime] [ant: middle, end]
      2: a compensating equivalent [syn: counterbalance]
      3: a horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new
         plants from buds at its tips [syn: stolon, runner]
      4: a natural consequence of development [syn: outgrowth, branch,
          offshoot]
      5: a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed
         cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper [syn: offset
         printing]
      6: structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly [syn: set-back,
          setoff]
      v 1: compensate for or counterbalance; "offset deposits and
           withdrawals" [syn: countervail]
      2: make up for; "His skills offset his opponent's superior
         strength" [syn: cancel, set off]
      3: cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another
         surface
      4: create an offset in; "offset a wall"
      5: produce by offset printing; "offset the conference
         proceedings"
      [also: offsetting]
 offsetting
      See offset