Definition of "set-off" [set•-off]

• That which is set off against another thing; an offset. (noun)
• That which is used to improve the appearance of anything; a decoration; an ornament. (noun)
• A counterclaim; a cross debt or demand; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand. (noun)
• An offset. (noun)

Wiktionary.org : Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

• "But the problem presents itself when I look at my friends' Facebook photos and see telltale florid skin set-off against chalky white rings around their eyes, as though they've just touched down after a fortnight on the Alps in skiing goggles."
• "The United States collects taxes on behalf of foreign governments already (and allows a set-off against our taxes for taxes collected abroad) for all kinds of things, property, income taxes, etc."
• "They can set-off their little firecrackers all day every day as far as I'm concerned."