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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Onset(t, n.¹ Also: unseatt. [e.m.E. onset(t, commencement (1561), attack (c 1586).]

1. a. The act of launching an attack on (an enemy), an attack, onslaught; also, an assault. Also fig. b. Without the article: Attack, onslaught.a. 1513 Doug. ii. vii. 63.
Mony debatis and onsettis haue we done Ib. ix. vi. 33.
That nane onset cum on ws at the bak Ib. xiii. ix. 62.
Quha bald in stowr eyk maid the first onset 1526 Acts II. 312/1.
Thai put thame to defence of his grace and resistit thar malice presumpcioun and onsett quhar the said Erle [etc.] … war slane 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 58.
At the first onset slew the said Erle 1533 Boece iv. i. 126.
In reskew of Pichtis … with ane haisty onsett come the power of Kendale 1535 Stewart 25973. Ib. 48273. 15.. Clar. iii. 338. 1563–4 Inverness Rec. I. 110.
The said Johne Roy cruwellie sett on the said James … , the said James Paterson nocht being aduerteist of the onsett maid on him 1570 Breadalbane Lett. 7 June.
For thai war furnesit to this onset be ȝour ll. gud servand McNachtane 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. i. 82.
Agmine facto … ruunt, makand ane onsett, merchant furth in ordour 1570 Leslie 135. a1578 Pitsc. I. 54/33. 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 15.
For the prowocatioun, onset and tuilȝe … in the kirk yaird 1631 Ib. 329.
For invadeing his brother … , making fiue sundrie onsettes vpon him ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 109.
In ipso Batalli onsetto 1669 Rothesay B. Rec. 170.
Upone thair just apprehensioune of some outragious onsett in defence of thair prissonerfig. 1600-1610 Melvill 76.
For there wald be a strang unseat of Papistsb. 1513 Doug. vii. iv. 97.
Sa valȝeand at onset and defens Ib. xii. v. 28.
Gif we list mak onset 1535 Stewart 1 1464. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 628.
Upon the Scottis thay maid onset

2. ? transf. ? The tackling of a matter requiring attention, the taking of necessary action. 1652 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 148.
Be this onsett ȝow will taik wp a littill how manie annuels that barronie will pey [etc.]