onslaught English · revision 1374

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɒn.slɔːt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɑn.slɔt/, /ˈɔn.slɔt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is apparently [[bor|nl|aanslag|t=attack, a striking]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from Middle Dutch ''aenslach'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from ''aen'' “on” and ''slach'' “blow”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) related to [[slay]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) The English spelling was influenced by obsolete ''slaught'' “slaughter”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) Etymonline notes that the forms do not correspond well with the Dutch.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An onset or attack, especially a vigorous one (before 1625, as ''anslaight'').^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The spelling ''onslaught'' appears in 1654.^(Barnhart 1995) The word was apparently not used in the 18th century^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and seems to have been revived by Walter Scott.^(Etymonline) It is now also used of an overwhelming quantity, as of changes or letters.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1625 – ''anslaight'', an attack.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1654 – the spelling ''onslaught''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 18th century – apparently not in use.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A fierce [[attack]] or [[assault]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An overwhelming outpouring or quantity.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[slaughter]]

+ * [[slay]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}