Help understanding a phrase - meaning of the word 'offset'

[freshy]

Hi I am having trouble fully understanding the meaning of the word offset in a phrase.

'what factors have offset the predicted slump'

is this asking for the factors that have caused the slump or is it asking for factors that have mitigated or resulted from the slump'.

Your opinions and advice would be most welcome.

Thanks so much

 

[A.N.Other]

Acted to work against the slump.

Seriously ... http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=offset&db=* ... google is your friend.

 

[TriedandTested]

Unless I'm reading it wrong, I think it's asking what stopped the slump happening.

 

[silvercut]

i hope you find it

 

[freshy]

I am well aware of google Moses99p - but thanks for participating in such a futile thread.

I was concerned about the context of the phrase, I am well aware of the word.

 

[JIM_BOB7813]

To be fair, it is a little ambiguous

1. something that counterbalances, counteracts, or compensates for something else; compensating equivalent.
2. the start, beginning, or outset.

1. what factors have offset the predicted slump
2. what factors have onset the predicted slump

It could be interpreted as either, though, going by the definition of offset.