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off·set (ôfsĕt′, ŏf-)
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n.
1. An agent, element, or thing that balances, counteracts, or compensates for something else.
2. One thing set off or developed from something else.
3. The start or initial stage; the outset.
4. Architecture A ledge or recess in a wall formed by a reduction in thickness above; a setoff.
5. Botany A shoot that develops laterally at the base of a plant, often rooting to form a new plant.
6. Geology A spur of a mountain range or hills.
7. A bend in a pipe, bar, or other straight continuous piece made to allow it to pass around an obstruction.
8. A short distance measured perpendicularly from the main line in surveying, used to help in calculating the area of an irregular plot.
9. A descendant of a race or family; an offshoot.
10. Printing
a. An unintentional or faulty transfer of wet ink from a printed sheet to another surface in contact with it. Also called setoff.
b. Offset printing.
v. (ôfsĕt′, ŏf-, ôf-sĕt, ŏf-) off·set, off·set·ting, off·sets
v.tr.
1. To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: fringe benefits designed to offset low salaries.
2. Printing
a. To cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another surface.
b. To produce by offset printing.
3. To make or form an offset in (a wall, bar, or pipe).
v.intr.
1. To develop, project, or be situated as an offset.
2. Printing To become marked by or cause an unintentional transfer of ink.
offset′ adv. & adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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