onset

Meaning

Noun

1. The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.
2. The initial portion of a syllable, preceding the syllable nucleus.
3. The beginning of a musical note or other sound, in which the amplitude rises from zero to an initial peak.
4. A setting about; a beginning.
5. (obsolete) Anything added, such as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
6. (archaic) An attack; an assault especially of an army.

Verb

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

Synonyms

beginning

start

attack

👊

onslaught

onrush

assault

commencement

inception

outset

charge

first

1st

initiation

initial

aggression

oncoming

invasion

dash

💨

brunt

opening

origin

outbreak

pileup

pounce

press

push back

rollback

rush

sally

shot

storm

strafe

strike

swoop

first part

onfall

access

first motion

initial motion

first swing

application

disease development

approach

begin

beginnings

burst

cause

eruption

from the beginning

head

incipience

Translations

début

commencement

attaque

👊

comienzo

aanvang

principio

assalto

ataque

👊

ataque

👊

έναρξη

começo

begin

inizio

início

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɒnˌsɛt/

Etymology

Cognate with Old English: onsettan

In summary

From on- + set. Compare Old English onsettan (“to impose; oppress, bear down”). For semantic parallels for the meaning to assault, compare cognate Russian насе́сть pf (naséstʹ), наседа́ть impf (nasedátʹ).