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setoffmore about setoff

setoff

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Set-off  \Set"-off`\,  n.  [Set  +  off.] 
  1.  That  which  is  set  off  against  another  thing  an  offset. 
 
  I  do  not  contemplate  such  a  heroine  as  a  set-off  to 
  the  many  sins  imputed  to  me  as  committed  against 
  woman.  --D.  Jerrold 
 
  2.  That  which  is  used  to  improve  the  appearance  of  anything 
  a  decoration;  an  ornament. 
 
  3.  (Law)  A  counterclaim;  a  cross  debt  or  demand;  a  distinct 
  claim  filed  or  set  up  by  the  defendant  against  the 
  plaintiff's  demand. 
 
  Note:  Set-off  differs  from  recoupment,  as  the  latter 
  generally  grows  out  of  the  same  matter  or  contract  with 
  the  plaintiff's  claim,  while  the  former  grows  out  of 
  distinct  matter,  and  does  not  of  itself  deny  the 
  justice  of  the  plaintiff's  demand.  Offset  is  sometimes 
  improperly  used  for  the  legal  term  set-off.  See 
  {Recoupment}. 
 
  4.  (Arch.)  Same  as  {Offset},  n.,  4. 
 
  5.  (Print.)  See  {Offset},  7. 
 
  Syn:  {Set-off},  {Offset}. 
 
  Usage:  Offset  originally  denoted  that  which  branches  off  or 
  projects,  as  a  shoot  from  a  tree,  but  the  term  has 
  long  been  used  in  America  in  the  sense  of  set-off. 
  This  use  is  beginning  to  obtain  in  England;  though 
  Macaulay  uses  set-off,  and  so  perhaps,  do  a  majority 
  of  English  writers. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Offset  \Off"set`\,  n.  [Off  +  set  Cf  {Set-off}.] 
  In  general,  that  which  is  set  off  from  before  or  against, 
  something  as: 
 
  1.  (Bot.)  A  short  prostrate  shoot,  which  takes  root  and 
  produces  a  tuft  of  leaves,  etc  See  Illust.  of 
  {Houseleek}. 
 
  2.  A  sum,  account,  or  value  set  off  against  another  sum  or 
  account,  as  an  equivalent;  hence  anything  which  is  given 
  in  exchange  or  retaliation;  a  set-off. 
 
  3.  A  spur  from  a  range  of  hills  or  mountains. 
 
  4.  (Arch.)  A  horizontal  ledge  on  the  face  of  a  wall,  formed 
  by  a  diminution  of  its  thickness,  or  by  the  weathering  or 
  upper  surface  of  a  part  built  out  from  it  --  called  also 
  {set-off}. 
 
  5.  (Surv.)  A  short  distance  measured  at  right  angles  from  a 
  line  actually  run  to  some  point  in  an  irregular  boundary, 
  or  to  some  object. 
 
  6.  (Mech.)  An  abrupt  bend  in  an  object,  as  a  rod,  by  which 
  one  part  is  turned  aside  out  of  line  but  nearly  parallel, 
  with  the  rest;  the  part  thus  bent  aside. 
 
  7.  (Print.)  A  more  or  less  distinct  transfer  of  a  printed 
  page  or  picture  to  the  opposite  page,  when  the  pages  are 
  pressed  together  before  the  ink  is  dry  or  when  it  is  poor. 
 
  {Offset  staff}  (Surv.),  a  rod,  usually  ten  links  long,  used 
  in  measuring  offsets. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  setoff 
  n  :  where  a  wall  or  building  narrows  abruptly  [syn:  {set  back}, 
  {offset}]




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