Definition of Onslaught

1. Noun. A sudden and severe onset of trouble.

Generic synonyms: Trouble

2. Noun. (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons). "The attack began at dawn"

3. Noun. The rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written). "A bombardment of mail complaining about his mistake"
Exact synonyms: Barrage, Bombardment, Outpouring
Generic synonyms: Language, Linguistic Communication
Derivative terms: Barrage, Bombard

Definition of Onslaught

1. n. An attack; an onset; esp., a furious or murderous attack or assault.

Definition of Onslaught

1. Noun. A fierce attack. ¹

2. Noun. A large quantity of people or things resembling an attack. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Onslaught

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Onslaught

1. 1. An attack; an onset; especially, a furious or murderous attack or assault. "By storm and onslaught to proceed." (Hudibras) 2. A bloody fray or battle. Origin: OE. On on + slaught, slaht, slaughter. See Slaughter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Onslaught

onsen
onsend
onsens
onset
onsets
onsetter
onsetters
onshore
onshoring
onside
onside kick
onside kicks
onsides
onsight
onsite
onslaught (current term)
onslaughter
onslaughters
onslaughts
onslip
onslips
onsold
onst
onstage
onstead
onsteads
onstream
ontake
ontario
ontic

Literary usage of Onslaught

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Fifty Years of the History of the Republic in South Africa (1795-1845) by Johan Carel Voigt (1899)
"... Ride—Battle on the Bushman's River—Determined Zulu onslaught—Brave Defence ... by a fierce onslaught on the encampments of the Emigrants along the Mooi, ..."

2. The Monist by Hegeler Institute (1892)
"... onslaught ON THE DOCTRIN E OF NECESSITY. THE problem of necessity lurks at the bottom of all problems, and according as we accept or reject the idea of ..."

3. The Christian Remembrancer by William Scott (1856)
"literary 'public' that a more formidable onslaught than the world has yet ... A special onslaught is observed to be made against some outwork or other; ..."

4. The Party Battles of the Jackson Period by Claude Gernade Bowers (1922)
"Clay led the onslaught with a resolution calling upon Taney for a report on the new depositories. "I want to inquire where the Treasury of the United States ..."

5. Southern Literary Messenger (1850)
"... than the first onslaught. In this way, of course, she lost the good opinion of those «bo saw her in no other aspect, and made entrait! fur lite of many ..."

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