onset
    n 1: the beginning or early stages; "the onset of pneumonia"
         [syn: onset, oncoming]
    2: (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons);
       "the attack began at dawn" [syn: attack, onslaught,
       onset, onrush]

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The onset and retire
            Of both your armies.                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Who on that day the word of onset gave.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A setting about; a beginning; -- used especially of
      diseases or pathological symptoms. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

            There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time
            the beginnings and onsets of things.  --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful
      appendage. [Obs.] --Johnson.
      [1913 Webster]

Onset \On"set`\, v. t.
   1. To assault; to set upon. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To set about; to begin. [Obs.] --Carew.
      [1913 Webster]

Onset, MA -- U.S. Census Designated Place in Massachusetts
   Population (2000):    1292
   Housing Units (2000): 910
   Land area (2000):     1.083253 sq. miles (2.805612 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.215025 sq. miles (0.556913 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    1.298278 sq. miles (3.362525 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            51160
   Located within:       Massachusetts (MA), FIPS 25
   Location:             41.746424 N, 70.663251 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     02532
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Onset, MA
    Onset