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officinal
officious
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offset
offshoot
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offset

off·set [ áwf sèt ]


noun  (plural off·sets)
Definition:
 
1. something counterbalancing something else: something that counterbalances or compensates, or an allowance made in order to counterbalance something ( often used before a noun )

2. construction abrupt bend in straight line: an abrupt bend put into an otherwise straight bar or pipe in order to avoid an obstruction

3. printing printing process using ink transfer: a method of printing in which inked impressions are transferred onto paper from another surface ( often used before a noun )

4. printing unintentional marking from wet ink: an accidental transfer of ink, usually from one piece of paper to another ( often used before a noun )

5. botany offshoot capable of propagation: an offshoot or runner from the base of a plant that can propagate the plant

6. genetics offshoot or descendant: something that has developed from something else, e.g. a collateral descendant or group of descendants of a family

7. geology spur in mountain range: a projecting spur or ridge in a mountain range ( often used before a noun )

8. geology horizontal displacement of rock: the horizontal displacement that occurs as a result of the movement of a rock mass along a fault

9. something set apart: something set apart from other things ( often used before a noun )

10. measurements surveying line: a short distance measured at right angles from a main survey line, used in finding the area of a piece of land

11. beginning: the beginning of something ( dated )

12. architecture 
Same as  setback (sense 2)




verb  (past and past participle off·set, present participle off·set·ting, 3rd person present singular off·sets)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb counteract something: to balance or make up for something ( often passive )
These improved sales were offset by last month's losses.

2. transitive and intransitive verb printing print something by transfer: to print something by offset printing, or to accidentally transfer ink by an offset

3. transitive and intransitive verb construction form or be offset in something: to make an offset in something such as a wall or pipe, or to be formed into an offset


off·set adverb
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