Definitions for offsetˈɔfˌsɛt, ˈɒf-; ˌɔfˈsɛt, ˌɒf-

off•setˈɔfˌsɛt, ˈɒf-; ˌɔfˈsɛt, ˌɒf-(n., adj.; v.; n.; adj.)-set, -set•ting.

(n.)something that compensates for something else.
the start, beginning, or outset.
a short lateral shoot by which certain plants are propagated.
Category: Botany
an offshoot or branch.
a process in which a lithographic stone or metal or paper plate is used to make an inked impression on a rubber blanket that transfers it to the paper being printed. the impression itself.
Category: Printing
Geol. (in faults) the magnitude of displacement between two previously aligned bodies.
Category: Geology
a flat or sloping projecting ledge on a wall, buttress, or the like, produced by a reduction in thickness above; setoff.
Category: Architecture
a short distance measured perpendicularly from a main survey line. Also called off′set line`. a line a short distance from and parallel to a main survey line.
Category: Surveying
(adj.)of, noting, or pertaining to an offset.
pertaining to, printed by, or suitable for printing by offset.
Category: Printing
placed away from a center line; off-center.
placed at an angle to something.
(v.t.)to compensate for.
to juxtapose with something else, as for comparison.
Print. to make an offset of. to print by the process of offset lithography.
Category: Printing
to build (a wall) with an offset.
Category: Architecture
(v.i.)to project as an offset or branch.
Print. to make an offset.
Category: Printing

1545–55

beginning, commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime, offset(noun)
the time at which something is supposed to begin
"they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her"
counterbalance, offset(noun)
a compensating equivalent
stolon, runner, offset(noun)
a horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from buds at its tips
outgrowth, branch, offshoot, offset(noun)
a natural consequence of development
offset, offset printing(noun)
a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper
set-back, setoff, offset(verb)
structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
offset, countervail(verb)
compensate for or counterbalance
"offset deposits and withdrawals"
cancel, offset, set off(verb)
make up for
"His skills offset his opponent's superior strength"
offset(verb)
cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another surface
offset(verb)
create an offset in
"offset a wall"
offset(verb)
produce by offset printing
"offset the conference proceedings"

offset(Noun)
Anything that acts as counterbalance; a compensating equivalent.
Today's victory was an offset to yesterday's defeat.
offset(Noun)
A form of countertrade arrangement, in which the seller agrees to purchase within a set time frame products of a certain value from the the buying country. This kind of agreement may be used in large international public sector contracts such as arms sales.
offset(Noun)
A time at which something begins; outset.
You can hear the gun go off at the offset of the race.
offset(Noun)
A printing method, in which ink is carried from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and from there to the printing surface.
offset(Noun)
The difference between a target memory address and a base address.
An array of bytes uses its index as the offset, of words a multiple thereof.
offset(Noun)
The distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another.
There is a small offset between the switch and the indicator which some users found confusing.
offset(Verb)
To compensate for something.
I'll offset the time difference locally.

Citation

"offset." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 18 May 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/offset>.