4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Onset  \On"set`\,  v.  t. 
  1.  To  assault;  to  set  upon  [Obs.] 
 
  2.  To  set  about  to  begin.  [Obs.]  --Carew. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Onset  \On"set`\,  n.  [On  +  set.] 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  onset 
  n  1:  the  beginning  or  early  stages;  "the  onset  of  pneumonia" 
  [syn:  {oncoming}] 
  2:  the  beginning  of  an  offensive;  "the  attack  began  at  dawn" 
  [syn:  {attack},  {onslaught},  {onrush}] 
 
  From  U.S.  Gazetteer  (1990)  [gazetteer]: 
 
  Onset,  MA  (CDP,  FIPS  51160) 
  Location:  41.74758  N,  70.66758  W 
  Population  (1990):  1461  (1189  housing  units) 
  Area:  2.8  sq  km  (land),  0.6  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  02532 

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