To set off; to place over against; to balance; as, to
offset one account or charge against another.

To form an offset in, as in a wall, rod, pipe, etc.

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.

of Offset

A short distance measured at right angles from a line
actually run to some point in an irregular boundary, or to some object.

A spur from a range of hills or mountains.

A short prostrate shoot, which takes root and produces a
tuft of leaves, etc. See Illust. of Houseleek.

In general, that which is set off, from, before, or
against, something

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.

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.