See Also: OFFSET(finance)
Offset(money)
offset(1)(dictionary)
offset(2)(dictionary)
Offset(medicine)
photo-offset(dictionary)
offset (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
offset printing(encyclopedia)
offset 1, verb(dictionary)
offset 2, adjective(dictionary)

offset(1) (iou)



offset noun. M16.
[from OFF- + SET noun1. Cf. SET-OFF.]
The act of setting off (on a journey or course of action); the outset, a start, a beginning. M16.
A short lateral shoot, esp. from the lower stem, bulb, or corm, of a plant, serving for propagation; transf. & fig. a lateral branch, an offshoot, a collateral descendant; a spur of a mountain range. E17.
A thing that acts as a foil to embellish, or throws something else into prominence. L17.
Surveying. A short distance measured perpendicularly from a main line of measurement. E18.
Architecture. A horizontal or sloping break or ledge on the face of a wall, pier, etc., formed where the portion above is reduced in thickness. E18.
A counterbalance to or compensation for something else; a consideration or amount diminishing or neutralizing the effect of a contrary one; a set-off. M18.
Printing. The transfer of ink from a freshly printed surface; a printing process in which ink is transferred from a plate (orig. a stone) to a rubber-covered cylinder and then transferred to paper. L19.
lithographic offset, photolitho offset. offset litho, offset lithography, offset printing, offset process.
A bend in a pipe, made to carry it past an obstruction. E20.
Electricity. A small deviation from a correct or normal voltage, current, etc.; a small bias introduced to ensure correct operation of a circuit. M20.
Comb.: offset purchase Economics a purchase made abroad by agreement to counterbalance revenues spent in the buying country by the selling country; offset well an oil or gas well drilled in a particular area to counteract drainage of oil or gas from there caused by drilling in an adjacent area.