set off

v 1: actuate; "trigger a reaction" [syn: {trip}, {actuate}, {trigger},

{activate}, {spark off}, {spark}, {trigger off}, {touch

off}]

2: leave; "The family took off for Florida" [syn: {depart}, {part},

{start}, {start out}, {set forth}, {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: {emphasize}, {stress}, {bring out}, {accentuate},

{accent}] [ant: {deemphasize}]

4: cause to explode; "We exploded the nuclear bomb" [syn: {explode},

{detonate}, {blow up}]

5: make up for; "His skills offset his opponent's superior

strength" [syn: {cancel}, {offset}]

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}, {stir up}]