From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
set off
v 1: put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction";
"actuate the circuits" [syn: {trip}, {actuate}, {trigger},
{activate}, {set off}, {spark off}, {spark}, {trigger off},
{touch off}]
2: leave; "The family took off for Florida" [syn: {depart},
{part}, {start}, {start out}, {set forth}, {set off}, {set
out}, {take off}]
3: direct attention to, as if by means of contrast; "This dress
accentuates your nice figure!"; "I set off these words by
brackets" [syn: {bring out}, {set off}]
4: cause to burst with a violent release of energy; "We exploded
the nuclear bomb" [syn: {explode}, {detonate}, {blow up},
{set off}]
5: make up for; "His skills offset his opponent's superior
strength" [syn: {cancel}, {offset}, {set off}]
6: set in motion or cause to begin; "The guide set the tour off
to a good start"
7: provoke or stir up; "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest
among the people" [syn: {incite}, {instigate}, {set off},
{stir up}]
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