onslaught

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɒn.slɔːt/ (UK); /ˈɑn.slɔt/, /ˈɔn.slɔt/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is apparently borrowed from Dutch aanslag (“attack, a striking”),^{[2][3][4][5][6]} from Middle Dutch aenslach,^[2][3][4] from aen “on” and slach “blow”,^[2][3][4] related to slay.^[3][4][5][6] The English spelling was influenced by obsolete slaught “slaughter”.^[2][3][4][6] Etymonline notes that the forms do not correspond well with the Dutch.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

An onset or attack, especially a vigorous one (before 1625, as anslaight).^[7][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The spelling onslaught appears in 1654.^[3] The word was apparently not used in the 18th century^[7][4] and seems to have been revived by Walter Scott.^[4] It is now also used of an overwhelming quantity, as of changes or letters.^[2][5][1]

Timeline

• before 1625 – anslaight, an attack.^[7][3]
• 1654 – the spelling onslaught.^[3]
• 18th century – apparently not in use.^[7][4]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A fierce attack or assault.
2. An overwhelming outpouring or quantity.

Related words

• slaughter
• slay

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b c Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
7. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press