Standard Lemma guide

set-off

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Something used to improve the appearance; a decoration, an ornament.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The act of setting off on a journey; a departure, a start.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A counterclaim; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Anything set off against another thing; a compensation, a counterbalancing circumstance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: generally

Examples

  • D. Jerrold I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set-off to the many sins imputed to me as committed against woman.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The situation where a bank or similar organisation repays itself money owed by an accountholder out of his or her account.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, finance

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

An offset.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: media, printing, publishing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Deverbal from set off.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: уравняване (uravnjavane) — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Catalan: compensació — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Dutch: compensatie — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Dutch: schuldvergelijking — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Finnish: kuittaus — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • French: compensation — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • German: Aufrechnung — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Greek: συμψηφισμός (sympsifismós) — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Italian: compensazione — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Portuguese: compensação — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Russian: ура́внивание (urávnivanije) — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Spanish: compensación — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors
  • Tagalog: bigaypala — extinction of debts of which two persons are reciprocally debtors