Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Dutch
Origin: aanslag 'act of striking'; influenced by slaught 'slaughter' (13-17 centuries)

onslaught

 noun
     
on‧slaught [countable]
1 a large violent attack by an army
onslaught on/against
In December they launched a full-scale onslaught on the capital.
2 strong criticism of someone
onslaught on/against
his public onslaught on the Conservatives
under the onslaught of something
He praised his wife for her dignity under the onslaught of the tabloid press.
3

the onslaught of something

the effect of something that is unpleasant and could cause damage:
plants that will survive the onslaught of winter
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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