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onslaught

 - 3 dictionary results

on⋅slaught

  [on-slawt, awn-]
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–noun
an onset, assault, or attack, esp. a vigorous one.
Origin:
1615–25; < D aanslag a striking, (earlier) attack (equiv. to aan on + slag blow, stroke; akin to slay ), with assim. to obs. slaught slaughter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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on·slaught   (ŏn'slôt', ôn'-)   
n.  

  1. A violent attack.

  2. An overwhelming outpouring: an onslaught of third-class mail.


[Alteration (influenced by obsolete slaughte, slaughter) of Dutch aanslag, a striking at, from Middle Dutch aenslach : aen-, on; see an- in Indo-European roots + slach, a striking.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

onslaught 
1625, anslaight, somehow from or on analogy of Du. aanslag "attack," from M.Du. aenslach, from aen "on" + slach "blow," related to slaen "slay." Spelling infl. by obs. (since c.1400) Eng. slaught (n.) "slaughter," from O.E. sleaht (see slaughter). No record of its use in 18c.; apparently revived by Scott.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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