Wednesday, November 14, 2007

offset noun |ˈôfˌset; ˈäf-|
1 a consideration or amount that diminishes or balances the effect of a contrary one : an offset against taxable profits.
2 the amount or distance by which something is out of line : these wheels have an offset of four inches.
• Surveying a short distance measured perpendicularly from the main line of measurement.
• Electronics a small deviation or bias in a voltage or current.
3 a side shoot from a plant serving for propagation. • a spur in a mountain range.
4 Architecture a sloping ledge in a wall or other feature where the thickness of the part above is diminished.
5 a bend in a pipe to carry it past an obstacle.
6 [often as adj. ] a method of printing in which ink is transferred from a plate or stone to a uniform rubber surface and from that to the paper.