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]