Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Something, such as a decoration, that sets off something else by contrast.
  • noun Something that offsets or compensates for something else; a counterbalance.
  • noun A counterclaim that reduces or discharges the amount owed to a claimant.
  • noun Architecture A flat projection, as from a wall; a ledge.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The bank may have a lien on the entire balance because of so-called setoff rights related to a credit line to MF Global where it acts and agent and lender, the New York-based bank said in a filing.

    BusinessWeek.com -- Top News 2011

  • "In addition, Carlson seeks a declaratory order that the amount it owes IBM for past services be 'setoff' against any judgment in its favor," the documents state.

    InformationWeek - All Stories And Blogs 2010

  • Whether it be with a g/f or b/f or your parents or children, what is the smallest thing that 'setoff' a huge fight? it wasn't a huge fight but one time a guy i was with wanted to hear a certain song and i didn't wanna hear it. he yelled and then he pulled the car over for a solid 5 minutes until the song was played. hahahaha i thought it was funny of course must mention, there were 2 other people in the car at the time of this fight. awkwwwwwward

    PocketFives orgnalsooners 2010

  • The most recent players' percentage -- from the 2009 Salary Cap -- was 59.5% of TFR Total Football Revenues, but the percentage came after a $1 billion setoff from the gross revenue number was taken by the NFL for its risk in operating the business.

    Andrew Brandt: NFL Labor Q & A Andrew Brandt 2011

  • Instead, a waaayy overpriced condo bunker that not only has no setoff, but protrudes over the sidewalk.

    Latest condo fizzle: 38th and Belmont (Jack Bog's Blog) 2009

  • If anything, this setoff an arms race in option grants and now we're about to set off an arms race with respect to retirement benefits and deferred compensation.

    CNN Transcript Jun 3, 2006 2006

  • If anything, this setoff an arms race in option grants and now we're about to set off an arms race with respect to retirement benefits and deferred compensation.

    CNN Transcript Jun 4, 2006 2006

  • Also in Egypt authorities say that a fire aboard an Egyptian ferry setoff a string of events that led to it's sinking in the Red Sea.

    CNN Transcript Feb 4, 2006 2006

  • You had the syndicated columnist Robert Novak, who was the one who actually was the first to publish Valerie Plame's name and thereby setoff this huge scandal and ultimately a federal investigation.

    CNN Transcript Oct 1, 2005 2005

  • And that he actually had planned to setoff five bombs on five successive days.

    CNN Transcript Apr 13, 2005 2005

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