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(2) (iou)



offset verb. Infl. -tt-. Pa. t. & pple -set. L17.
[from OFF- + SET verb1.]
verb trans. Set off as an equivalent against; cancel out by, balance by something on the other side or of contrary nature; counterbalance, compensate. L17.
R. W. Emerson In human action, against the spasm of energy we offset the continuity of drill. L. Namier The debit balances..would be offset by the credit balances. G. Huntington The negative beginning..had been somewhat offset by the positive end.
verb intrans. Spring, branch off, or project as an offset from. Now rare. M19.
verb trans. Set at an angle; place off-centre or out of line. Chiefly as offset ppl adjective. M19.
verb intrans. Printing. Of ink, a freshly printed page: transfer an impression to the next leaf or sheet. L19.