off
1. off \'o.f\ av [ME of, fr. OE - more at OF] 1a: from a place or position
{march ~}; specif : away fr om land {ship stood ~ to sea} 1b: so as to
prevent close approach {drove the dogs ~} 1c: from a course : ASIDE
{turned ~ into a bypath} : ; specif : away from the wind 1d: into an
unconscious state {dozed ~} 2a: so as not to be supported {rolled to the
edge of the table and ~)R} or covering or enclosing {blew the lid ~} or
attached {the handle came ~} 2b: so as to be divided {surface marked ~ into
squares} 3: to a state of discontinuance {shut ~ an engine} or exhaustion
{drink ~ a glass} or completion {coat of paint to finish it ~} 4: in
absence from or suspension of regular work or service {take time (R@ for
lunch} 5: at a distance in space or time {stood ten paces ~} 6: OFFSTAGE
2. off \(')o.f\ pp 1: - used as a function word to indicate a supporting
surface or a posit ion of rest, attachment, or union from which separation
is made {take it ~ the table} 2a: FROM {borrowed a dollar ~ him} 2b: at
the expense of {lived ~ his sister} 2c: so as to consume {dined ~ oysters}
3: to seaward 0f {two miles ~ shore} 4a1: - used as a function word to
indicate a usual occupation in which o ne is not now engaged {~ duty} 4a2:
abstaining from {~ liquor} 4b: below the usual standard or level of {~ his
game a dollar ~ the list price} 5a: a diverging or opening from {~ the
main walk} 5b: being or occuring away or apart from {a shop just ~ the
main s treet}
3. off \(')o.f\ aj 1a: more removed or distant {the ~ side of the building}
1b: SEAWARD 1c: RIGHT 1d: of or relating to the side of the cricket
field opposite to that on wh ich the batsman stands 2a: started on the way
{~ on a spree} 2b: CANCELED 2c: not operating 2d: not placed so as to
permit operation 3a: not corresponding to fact : INCORRECT {~ in his
reckon ing} 3b: POOR, SUBNORMAL 3c: not entirely sane : ECCENTRIC 3d:
REMOTE, SLIGHT {an ~ chance} 4a: spent off duty {reading on his ~ days}
4b: SLACK {~ season} 5a: OFF-COLOR 5b: INFERIOR {~ grade of oil}; also :
TAINTEDM 5c: DOWN {stocks were ~} 6: CIRCUMSTANCED {well ~}
4. off \'o.f\ vi : to go away : DEPART - used chiefly as an imperative