onslaught

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

on- +‎ slaught. Formed after Middle Dutch aenslag, aenslach, equivalent to aen +‎ slag, although slaught corresponds to Middle Dutch slacht; slag is cognate with the English weaving term sley. Compare Dutch aanslag and German Anschlag.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈɒnslɔːt/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

onslaught (plural onslaughts)

  1. A fierce attack.
    Synonym: onrush
  2. (by extension) A large number of people or things resembling an attack.
    They opened the doors and prepared for the onslaught of holiday shoppers.
    • 2010 December 28, Kevin Darling, “West Brom 1 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC‎:
      The inevitable Baggies onslaught followed as substitute Simon Cox saw his strike excellently parried by keeper Bunn, with Cox heading the rebound down into the ground and agonisingly over the bar.

Translations
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See also

References
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