Set-off

5 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Set-off \Set"-off`\, n. [Set + off.]
     1. That which is set off against another thing; an offset.
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              I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set-off to
              the many sins imputed to me as committed against


              woman.                                --D. Jerrold.
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     2. That which is used to improve the appearance of anything;
        a decoration; an ornament.
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     3. (Law) A counterclaim; a cross debt or demand; a distinct
        claim filed or set up by the defendant against the
        plaintiff's demand.
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     Note: Set-off differs from recoupment, as the latter
           generally grows out of the same matter or contract with
           the plaintiff's claim, while the former grows out of
           distinct matter, and does not of itself deny the
           justice of the plaintiff's demand. Offset is sometimes
           improperly used for the legal term set-off. See
           {Recoupment}.
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     4. (Arch.) Same as {Offset}, n., 4.
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     5. (Print.) See {Offset}, 7.
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     Syn: {Set-off}, {Offset}.
  
     Usage: Offset originally denoted that which branches off or
            projects, as a shoot from a tree, but the term has
            long been used in America in the sense of set-off.
            This use is beginning to obtain in England; though
            Macaulay uses set-off, and so, perhaps, do a majority
            of English writers.
            [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Offset \Off"set`\, n. [Off + set. Cf. {Set-off}.]
     In general, that which is set off, from, before, or against,
     something; as: 
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     1. (Bot.) A short prostrate shoot, which takes root and
        produces a tuft of leaves, etc. See Illust. of
        {Houseleek}.
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     2. 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.
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     3. A spur from a range of hills or mountains.
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     4. (Arch.) 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}.
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     5. (Surv.) A short distance measured at right angles from a
        line actually run to some point in an irregular boundary,
        or to some object.
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     6. (Mech.) 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.
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     7. (Print.) A more or less distinct transfer of a printed
        page or picture to the opposite page, when the pages are
        pressed together before the ink is dry or when it is poor;
        an unitended transfer of an image from one page to
        another; called also {setoff}.
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     8. See {offset printing}.
        [PJC]
  
     {Offset staff} (Surv.), a rod, usually ten links long, used
        in measuring offsets.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  setoff
       n : structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly [syn: {set-back},
            {offset}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  87 Moby Thesaurus words for "setoff":
     abatement, agio, allowance, antipode, antipodes, antipole,
     antithesis, antonym, balance, ballast, bank discount, breakage,
     cash discount, chain discount, charge-off, concession,
     consideration, contra, converse, counter, counterbalance,
     countercheck, counterpoint, counterpoise, counterpole, counterterm,
     counterweight, cut, deduction, depreciation, discount, drawback,
     equipoise, equivalent, foil, give-and-take, impress, impression,
     imprint, inverse, kickback, letterpress, mackle, makeweight,
     obverse, offcut, offprint, offset, opposite, opposite number,
     outset, outsetting, outstart, penalty, penalty clause, percentage,
     premium, price reduction, price-cut, print, quid pro quo, rebate,
     rebatement, reduction, refund, reissue, reprint, reverse, rollback,
     salvage, setout, something of value, stamp, start, start-off,
     starting, takeoff, tare, the contrary, the other side,
     time discount, tit for tat, trade discount, tret, underselling,
     vis-a-vis, write-off
  
  

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  SET-OFF, contracts, practice. Defalcation; (q.v.) a demand which a defendant 
  makes against the plaintiff in the suit for the purpose of liquidating the 
  whole or a part of his claim. 
       2. A set-off was unknown to the common law, according to which mutual 
  debts were distinct and inextinguishable except by actual payment or 
  release. 1 Rawle's R. 293; Babb. on Set-off, 1. 
       3. The statute 2 Geo. II., c. 22, which has been generally adopted in 
  the United States with some modifications however, allowed, in cases of 
  mutual debts, the defendant to set his debt against the other, either by 
  pleading it in bar, or giving it in evidence, when proper notice had been 
  given of such intention, under the general issue. The statute being made for 
  the benefit of the defendant, is not compulsory; 8 Watts, R. 39; the 
  defendant may Waive his right, and bring a cross action against the 
  plaintiff. 2 Campb. 594; 5 Taunt. 148; 9 Watts, R. 179 
       4. It seems, however, that in some cases of intestate estates, and of 
  insolvent estates, perhaps owing to the peculiar wording of the law, the 
  statute has been held to operate on the rights of the parties before action 
  brought, or an act done by either of them. 2 Rawle's R. 293; 3 Binn. Rep. 
  135; Bac. Ab. Bankrupt K. 
       5. Set-off takes place only in actions on contracts for the payment of 
  money, as assumpsit, debt and covenant. A set-off is not allowed in actions 
  arising ex delicto, as, upon the case, trespass, replevin or detinue. Bull. 
  N. P. 181. 
       6. The matters which may be set off, may be mutual liquidated debts or 
  damages, but unliquidated damages cannot be set off. 1 Black. R. 394; 2 
  John. 150; 8 Conn. 325; 1 McCord, 7; 3 Wend. 400; 1 Stew. & Port. 19; 2 
  Yeates, 208; 1 Sumn. 471; 2 Blackf. 31; 1 A. K. Marsh. 41; 6 Halst. 397; 5 
  Wash. C. C. 232 3 Bibb, 49; 2 Caines, 33. The statutes refer only to mutual 
  unconnected debts; for at common law, when the nature of the employment, 
  transaction or dealings necessarily constitute an account consisting of 
  receipts and payments, debts and credits, the balance only is considered to 
  be the debt, and therefore in an action, it is not necessary in such cases 
  either to plead or give notice of set-off. 4 Burr. 2221. 
       7. In general, when the government is plaintiff, no set-off will be 
  allowed. 9 Pet. 319; 4 Dall. 303. See 9 Cranch, 313; Paine, 156. But when an 
  act of congress authorizes such set-off, it may be made. 9 Cranch, 213. 
       8. Judgments in the same rights may be set off against each other at 
  the discretion of the court. 3 Bibb 233; 3 Watts 78; 3 Halst. 172; 4 Hamm. 
  90; 1 Stew. & Port. 24; 7 Mass. 140, 144; 8 Cowen 126. Vide Compensation; 
  also Montagu on Set-off; Babington on Set-off; 3 Stark. Ev. h.t.; Amer. Dig. 
  h.t.; Whart. Dig. h.t.; 3 Chit. Bl. Com. 304, n.; 1 Chit. Pl. Index, h.t.; 8 
  Vin. Ab. 556; Bac. Ab. h.t. 1 Sell. Pr. 321; 5 Com. Dig. 595; 6 Id. 335; 7 
  Id. 336; 8 Id. 927; Chit. Pr. Index, h.t.; Bouv. Inst. Index, h.t. Vide 
  Factor.