Set off

go on one's way; start; operate

The term set-off can refer to the following:In law, set-off is the reduction of a claim by deducting the amount of a valid countervailing claimIn architecture, set-off is given to the horizontal line shown on a floorplan indicating a reduced wall thickness, and consequently the part of the thicker portion appears projecting before the thinner. In printing, set-off is the name given to ink passing from one printed sheet to another because the ink has not had the chance to dry, which causes the sheets of paper to stick together.
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Verb
1. put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits"
(synonym) trip, actuate, trigger, activate, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
(hypernym) initiate, pioneer
(cause) happen, hap, go on, pass off, occur, pass, fall out, come about, take place
2. leave; "The family took off for Florida"
(synonym) depart, part, start, start out, set forth, set out, take off
(hypernym) leave, go forth, go away
(hyponym) take off, lift off
3. direct attention to, as if by means of contrast; "This dress accentuates your nice figure!"; "I set off these words by brackets"
(synonym) bring out
(hypernym) stress, emphasize, emphasise, punctuate, accent, accentuate
(hyponym) pick up
4. cause to explode; "We exploded the nuclear bomb"
(synonym) explode, detonate, blow up
(hypernym) change integrity
(hyponym) fulminate
(cause) explode, burst
5. make up for; "His skills offset his opponent's superior strength"
(synonym) cancel, offset
(hypernym) balance, equilibrate, equilibrize, equilibrise
(hyponym) counteract, countervail, neutralize, counterbalance
6. set in motion or cause to begin; "The guide set the tour off to a good start"
(hypernym) begin, lead off, start, commence
7. provoke or stir up; "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people"
(synonym) incite, instigate, stir up
(hypernym) provoke, stimulate
(hyponym) raise
(cause) act, move

(n.)
That which is used to improve the appearance of anything; a decoration; an ornament.
  

(n.)
That which is set off against another thing; an offset.
  

(n.)
See Offset, 7.
  

(n.)
Same as Offset, n., 4.
  

(n.)
A counterclaim; a cross debt or demand; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand.
  

Defalcation; 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.

A set-off was unknown to the common law, according to which mutual debts were distinct and inextinguishable except by actual payment or release.

The statute 2 Geo. II., 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 the defendant may Waive his right, and bring a cross action against the plaintiff.

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.

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.

The matters which may be set off, may be mutual liquidated debts or damages, but unliquidated damages cannot be set off. 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.

In general, when the government is plaintiff, no set-off will be allowed. But when an act of congress authorizes such set-off, it may be made.

Judgments in the same rights may be set off against each other at the discretion of the court.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.