1. A rushing or setting upon; an attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an army. Milton. The onset and retire Of both your armies. Shak. Who on that day the word of onset gave. Wordsworth.
2. A setting about; a beginning. [Obs.] Shak. There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings and onsets of things. Bacon.
3. Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful appendage. [Obs.] Johnson.
ONSET
On"set`, v. t.
1. To assault; to set upon. [Obs.]
2. To set about; to begin. [Obs.] Carew.
ONSLAUGHT
On"slaught`, n. Etym: [OE. on on + slaught, slaht, slaughter. See
Slaughter.]
1. An attack; an onset; esp., a furious or murderous attack or assault. By storm and onslaught to proceed. Hudibras.
2. A bloody fray or battle. [Scot.] Jamieson.
ONSTEAD
On"stead, n. Etym: [Possibly a corruption of homestead.]