English Explanatory Dictionary

onset

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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. Anything added, such as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
  6. An attack; an assault especially of an army.
verb
  1. To assault; to set upon.
  2. To set about; to begin.

Pronunciation

/ˈɒnˌsɛt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-onset.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Rho9998-onset.wav /ˈɔnˌsɛt/ /ˈɑnˌsɛt/

Word forms

onset onsets onsetting

Etymology

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).

Synonyms

start beginning birth font fount inauguration commencement initiation launch source spring springtime onset origin origination youth storming

Derived words

adult-onset diabetes delayed-onset muscle soreness delayed onset muscle soreness interonset onsetter postonset preonset rapid-onset gender dysphoria rocuronium voice onset time

Translations

Finnish: aluke Finnish: atakki French: attaque German: Anstieg German: Einschwingvorgang German: Anstrich
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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