Main Entry: ¹off·set

Pronunciation: \ˈȯf-ˌset\

Function: noun

Date: circa 1555

1 a archaic : outset, start b : cessation
2 a (1) : a short prostrate lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant (2) : a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb b : a lateral or collateral branch (as of a family or race) : offshoot c : a spur from a range of hills
3 a : a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above b : displacement c : an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an object or the part set off by such change
4 : something that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else : foil
5 : an abrupt bend in an object by which one part is turned aside out of line
6 : something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else; especially : either of two balancing ledger items
7 a : unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet) b : a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed

— offset adjective or adverb