Etymology From off- + set, used to construct the noun form of the verb to set off. Compare Middle English ofsetten (“to encumber, harass, beset, besiege”), from Old English ofsettan (“to press, oppress, overwhelm, crush”).
Anything that acts as counterbalance; a compensating equivalent.
Today's victory was an offset to yesterday's defeat.
There were more applicants for situations than vacancies, and nothing better or more congenial to my taste offering, I accepted a place in a Saloon. The salary was $100 per month, which was somewhat of an offset against the peculiarities of the position.1861, E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley, page 39:
2
A form of countertrade arrangement, in which the seller agrees to purchase within a set time frame products of a certain value from the buying country. This kind of agreement may be used in large international public sector contracts such as arms sales.
International trade
3
A time at which something begins; outset.
Later, Timberlake would tell Playboy that he noticed Ryan's talent from the offset, saying, 'I thought he had charisma that was just beaming, which has turned out to serve him really well as an actor.'2017, Nick Johnstone, Ryan Gosling - The Biography:
4
Media, Printing, PublishingOften The offset printing process, in which ink is carried from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and from there to the printing surface.
An array of bytes uses its index as the offset, of words a multiple thereof.
6
The displacement between the base level of a measurement and the signal's real base level.
Signal analysis
The raw signal data was subjected to a baseline correction process to subtract the sensor's offset and drift variations.
7
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.
8
Geography, Natural sciences, Surveying A short distance measured at right angles from a line actually run to some point in an irregular boundary, or to some object.
9
An abrupt bend in an object, such as a rod, by which one part is turned aside out of line, but nearly parallel, with the rest; the part thus bent aside.
10
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences A short prostrate shoot that takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc.
[…] [I]nfected tulips are weakened by the viruses that cause the very patterns and swirls that fascinated horticulturists and investors in the first place. Such bulbs tend to dwindle away instead of fattening up and producing offsets.2014 September 26, Charles Quest-Ritson, “The Dutch garden where tulip bulbs live forever: Hortus Bulborum, a volunteer-run Dutch garden, is dedicated to conserving historic varieties before they vanish for good [print version: Inspired by a living bulb archive, 27 September 2014, p. G5]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Gardening):
11
A spur from a range of hills or mountains.
12
Architecture 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; a set-off.
Etymology From off- + set, used to construct the noun form of the verb to set off. Compare Middle English ofsetten (“to encumber, harass, beset, besiege”), from Old English ofsettan (“to press, oppress, overwhelm, crush”).
1
To counteract or compensate for, by applying a change in the opposite direction.
I'll offset the time difference locally.
to offset one charge against another
4 more examples
But the modest gain in comfort and operating convenience so secured has been more than offset, in my experience, by the draughtiness of the standard cab.1953 June, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 396:
In order to gain first-hand experience of the operation of the new services I made a footplate journey on the only down two-hour train in the current timetable, the 8.30 a.m. Paddington [to Birmingham], a new express put on to offset the withdrawal of the 8.40 a.m. from Euston.1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 103:
The maroon livery of D1001 is offset, not only by yellow buffer beams and "aprons", but by white-painted cab window frames.1962 April, “Motive power miscellany: Western Region”, in Modern Railways, page 280:
The company said its rising production and sales were largely offset by reductions in the impact of raw material use, for instance by replacing virgin cashmere fibres with regenerated cashmere that had previously been considered a waste material.2017 October 2, Jess Cartner-Morle, “Stella McCartney lays waste to disposable fashion in Paris”, in the Guardian:
Etymology From off- + set, used to construct the noun form of the verb to set off. Compare Middle English ofsetten (“to encumber, harass, beset, besiege”), from Old English ofsettan (“to press, oppress, overwhelm, crush”).
1
Away from or off from the set of a movie, film, video, or play.
Offset Riley is romantically involved with Alexandra Maria Lara, who plays lan Curtis's lover Annik Honoré in Control.2008, Film Review, page 93:
Anita's pianoises are made offset for her by Norma Boleslawski, wife of late, great director Richard Boleslawski.2014, Ivan Raykoff, Dreams of Love: Playing the Romantic Pianist, page 82:
3 more examples
'Are the pubs open?' When the reply came back that they were indeed open, he would say, 'Then fuck your quarterly,' and rush offset, even though the break wasn't meant for the actors.2018, Frank Henson, Luck of Losing the Toss:
Not only did the cast and crew get along on set, that camaraderie continued offset as well.2021, Padraic Maroney, It All Began With A Scream:
For his scenes in alien form Bowie had to spend up to five hours each day in make-up: offset he painted, wrote and read voraciously.2022, Stephen Glynn, David Bowie and Film: Hooked to the Silver Screen, page 56:
offset
adj
Etymology From off- + set, used to construct the noun form of the verb to set off. Compare Middle English ofsetten (“to encumber, harass, beset, besiege”), from Old English ofsettan (“to press, oppress, overwhelm, crush”).
1
Away from or off from the set of a movie, film, video, or play.
By then, the cast had become good friends and spent all their offset time together.2013, Kathleen A. Tracy, Superstars of the 21st Century, page 134:
This is the principal need for a stand-in. To allow the actor to reset their own performance in a space right offset; which may also include resetting wardrobe and makeup.2021, Kevin Marshall Pinkney, On the Mark:
1 more example
Offset photos show him absorbed in a biography of acting hero Buster Keaton upon whom Bowie modelled his stone face — 'on which you could read anything'.2022, Ian Dixon, Brendan Black, I’m Not a Film Star: David Bowie as Actor: