offing

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Pronunciation: /ˈɒfɪŋ/ / /ˈɔfɪŋ/ / /ˈɑfɪŋ/

Etymology: From off + -ing. Attested since before 1600. Early texts also spell the term offin and offen.

The area of the sea in which a ship can be seen in the distance from land, excluding the parts nearest the shore, and beyond the anchoring ground.
“to see (a ship) in the offing”
“I came to an Anchor in seven fathomes water in the offing to Sea.”
The distance that a ship at sea keeps away from land, often because of navigational dangers, fog and other hazards; a position at a distance from shore.
“[…] till I ſaw the Land tun out a great Length into the Sea, at about the Diſtance of four or five Leagues before me, and the Sea being very calm I kept a large, offing to make this Point; […]”
“However, what with the help of this Ebb, and our Boats, we by Noon had got an Offing of 1 1/2 or 2 Miles, yet we could hardly flatter ourselves with hopes of getting Clear […]”
The foreseeable future. Chiefly in the phrase in the offing.

Etymology: From off + -ing. Attested since before 1600. Early texts also spell the term offin and offen.