onset

Noun
  1. The beginning or early stages (synset 107340590)
    "the onset of pneumonia"
    is a type of: start - the beginning of anything
    same as: oncoming
  2. (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons) (synset 100974725)
    "the attack began at dawn"
    referred to in: armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation
    is a type of: military operation, operation - activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)
    subtypes:
    • ground attack - an attack by ground troops
    • charge - an impetuous rush toward someone or something
    • banzai attack, banzai charge - a mass attack of troops without concern for casualties; originated by Japanese who accompanied it with yells of `banzai'
    • diversion, diversionary attack - an attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack
    • incursion, penetration - an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
    • blitz, blitzkrieg - a swift and violent military offensive with intensive aerial bombardment
    • strike - an attack that is intended to seize or inflict damage on or destroy an objective
    • counterattack, countermove - an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.
    • bombardment, bombing - an attack by dropping bombs
    • fire, firing - the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
    • strafe - an attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane
    • coup de main, surprise attack - an attack without warning
    has: assault - close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
    same as: attack, onrush, onslaught

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