Sekirov Dictionary

set off

verb 8
set-off noun 6
forms 3

verb8

•
To leave; to set out; to begin a journey or trip.
- He set off in search of better opportunities.
•
To begin; to cause; to initiate.
- I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument.
•
To cause to begin.
- When he started giggling, it set us all off too.
•
To put into an angry mood; to start (a person) ranting or sulking, etc.
- Don't set him off or he won't shut up all day.
•
To cause to explode, let off.
- What a tragedy, that someone would set off a bomb in a crowded place.
•
To enhance by emphasizing differences.
- Her plain white dress was set off by a bright red stole.
•
To offset, to compensate for: to reduce the effect of, by having a contrary effect.
- My taxes did not increase because the amount of my raise was set off by my losses in the stock market.
To deface or soil the next sheet; said of the ink on a freshly printed sheet, when another sheet comes in contact with it before it has had time to dry.

set-off noun6

A counterclaim; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand.
•
Anything set off against another thing; a compensation, a counterbalancing circumstance.
- D. Jerrold I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set-off to the many sins imputed to me as committed against woman.
The situation where a bank or similar organisation repays itself money owed by an accountholder out of his or her account.
An offset.
The act of setting off on a journey; a departure, a start.
(old-fashioned) Something used to improve the appearance; a decoration, an ornament.

forms

setting off · sets off · set-offs

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