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onset

[ on-set, awn- ]

/ ˈɒnˌsɛt, ˈɔn- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR onset ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a beginning or start: the onset of winter.

an assault or attack: an onset of the enemy.

Phonetics. the segment of a syllable preceding the nucleus, as the gr in great. Compare coda(def 5), core¹(def 14).

Origin of onset

1525–35; on + set, after the verb phrase set on

Words nearby onset

onondagan, onr, onrush, ons, onsager, onset, onshore, onshoring, onside, onside kick, onslaught

Example sentences from the Web for onset

I was never sure whether this was phlegm or the onset of lunacy.

Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius? |Clive Irving |December 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Believe it or not, a break at the onset of mild cramps may let you play in the game for longer.

A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare |Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad |June 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The adults then burn one down but realize drugs are less fun with the onset of parental responsibilities.

‘Silicon Valley’ and the Return of Stoner Television |Rich Goldstein |April 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He remembers how confused and scared people were by the onset of AIDS.

Matthew McConaughey In ‘Dallas Buyers Club’: From Bongos to Oscar Contender |Marlow Stern |October 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Then there is the argument that there is no clear chain of evidence linking an enemy action to the onset of PTSD.

How The Purple Heart Can Help Heal Veterans with PTSD |Benjamin Tupper |August 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The following typical case of partial stupor is quoted as an example of delusions appearing only during the onset.

Benign Stupors |August Hoch
Nothing is more terrible than the onset of a squadron of horse when charging an enemy upon the field of battle.

Cyrus the Great |Jacob Abbott
Meantime the Bailie, notwithstanding the success of his first onset, was sorely bested.

Rob Roy, Complete, Illustrated |Sir Walter Scott
If the depression is the sequel to an attack of excitement, the onset may be very sudden or it may be gradual.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 5 |Various
When this onset failed, he had recourse to entreaty: "Just slip it off."

Excuse Me! |Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for onset

onset

/ (ˈɒnˌsɛt) /

noun

an attack; assault

a start; beginning

Medical definitions for onset

onset

[ ŏn′sĕt′ ]

n.

A beginning; a start, as of a cold.