Definition of: offset

(ôf′set′, of′-) noun
1. Anything regarded or advanced as a counterbalance or equivalent; set-off.
2. Geol. A spur or branch from a range of mountains or hills.
3. Bot. A short lateral branch of a plant that takes root where it rests on the soil, thus serving for propagation.
4. A line drawn from a curved or irregular main line at right angles to an auxiliary line, to assist in measuring areas or in plotting.
5. A ledge or set-off in a wall; also, a fence spur set at right angles to the main fence.
6. A terrace; especially, a terrace on a hill or mountain side.
7. Archit. A comparatively thin place in the length of a wall; also, a recess below the general plane of a wall; a sunk panel.
8. A bend in a pipe bringing one part out of, but parallel with, the line of another part.
9. Printing a The smut or smear of a freshly printed sheet on the surface of the sheet in contact with it. b An impression made by the offset printing method.
10. A descendant; offspring; offshoot.
—adjective
1. Printing Of or pertaining to offset printing.
2. Archit. Of or pertaining to a ledge, panel, frame or the like not flush with a surface into which it is set.
—v. (ôf′set′, of′-) ·set, ·set·ting v.t.
1. To compensate for, as by balancing or opposing with an equivalent; counterbalance.
2. To transfer (an impression) from one surface to another.
3. Printing a To print by offset printing. b To smudge or mark with an offset.
4. Archit. To make an offset in.
—v.i.
5. To make an offset, as in printing.
6. To branch off; project as an offset.