Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

onus

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅nus

  [oh-nuhs]
Use onus in a Sentence
–noun, plural o⋅nus⋅es.
1. a difficult or disagreeable obligation, task, burden, etc.
2. burden of proof. Compare onus probandi.
3. blame or responsibility.
Origin:
1630–40; < L: load, burden

Synonyms:
1. responsibility, weight, duty, load.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To onus
o·nus   (ō'nəs)   
n.  

  1. A difficult or disagreeable responsibility or necessity; a burden or obligation.

    1. A stigma.

    2. Blame.

  3. The burden of proof: The onus was on the defense attorney.


[Latin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

onus 
c.1640, from L. onus (gen. oneris) "load, burden." Hence legal L. onus probandi (1722), lit. "burden of proving."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see onus on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way