Webster's 1828 Dictionary
SET-OFF
n.[set and off. ] The act of admitting one claim to counterbalance another. In a set-off the defendant acknowledges the justice of the plantif's demand, but sets up a demand of his own to counter balance it in whole or in part. The right of pleading a set-off depends on statute. Blackstone.
Note: In New England, offset is sometimes used for set-off. But offset has a different sense, and it is desirable that the practice should be uniform, Wherever the English is spoken.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
SET-OFF
Set "-off `, n. Etym: [Set + off. ]
1. That which is set off against another thing; an offset. I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set-off to the many sins imputed to me as committed against woman. D. Jerrold.
2. That which is used to improve the appearance of anything; a decoration; an ornament.
3. (Law )
Defn: A counterclaim; a cross debt or demand; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand.
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.
4. (Arch. )
Defn: Same as Offset, n., 4.
5. (Print. )
Defn: See Offset, 7.
Syn. -- Set-off, Offset. -- 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.
New American Oxford Dictionary
set-off
set-off ▶noun 1 an item or amount that is or may be set off against another in the settlement of accounts. • Law a counterbalancing debt pleaded by the defendant in an action to recover money due. • dated a counterbalancing or compensating circumstance or condition: as a set-off against such discussions there had come an improvement in their pecuniary position. 2 a step or shoulder at which the thickness of part of a building or machine is reduced. 3 Printing the unwanted transference of ink from one printed sheet or page to another before it has set.
Oxford Dictionary
set-off
set-off |ˈsɛtɒf | ▶noun 1 an item or amount that is or may be set off against another in the settlement of accounts. • Law a counterbalancing debt pleaded by the defendant in an action to recover money due. • dated a counterbalancing or compensating circumstance or condition: as a set-off against such discussions there had come an improvement in their pecuniary position. 2 a step or shoulder at which the thickness of part of a building or machine is reduced. 3 [ mass noun ] Printing the unwanted transference of ink from one printed sheet or page to another before it has set.
The Wordsmith Dictionary