Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Onset

On′setˊ

,
Noun.
[
On
+
set
.]
1.
A rushing or setting upon; an attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an army.
Milton.
The
onset
and retire
Of both your armies.
Shakespeare
Who on that day the word of
onset
gave.
Wordsworth.
There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings and
onsets
of things.
Bacon.
3.
Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

On′setˊ

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To assault; to set upon.
[Obs.]
2.
To set about; to begin.
[Obs.]
Carew.

Webster 1828 Edition


Onset

ON'SET

,
Noun.
[on and set.]
1.
A rushing or setting upon; a violent attack; assault; a storming; appropriately, the assault of an army or body of troops upon an enemy or a fort.
The shout of battle now began and rushing sound of onset.
2.
An attack of any kind; as the impetuous onset of grief.

ON'SET

,
Verb.
T.
To assault; to begin. [Not used.]

Definition 2024


onset

onset

English

Noun

onset (plural onsets)

  1. A rushing or setting upon; an attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an army.
  2. (medicine) The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.
  3. (phonology) The initial portion of a syllable, preceding the syllable nucleus.
  4. (acoustics) The beginning of a musical note or other sound, in which the amplitude rises from zero to an initial peak.
  5. (obsolete) A setting about; a beginning.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Francis Bacon,
      There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings and onsets of things.
  6. (obsolete) Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnson to this entry?)
  7. the start (of something)
    • 2013 June 29, High and wet”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 28:
      Floods in northern India, mostly in the small state of Uttarakhand, have wrought disaster on an enormous scale. The early, intense onset of the monsoon on June 14th swelled rivers, washing away roads, bridges, hotels and even whole villages. Rock-filled torrents smashed vehicles and homes, burying victims under rubble and sludge.

Translations

Verb

onset (third-person singular simple present onsets, present participle onsetting, simple past and past participle onset)

  1. (obsolete) To assault; to set upon.
  2. (obsolete) To set about; to begin.

Anagrams