onus

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Related terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Anagrams 2 Latin 2.1 Noun 2.1.1 Inflection 2.1.2 Derived terms 2.1.3 Descendants

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin onus (“‘burden’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈəʊnəs/
• (US) IPA: /ˈoʊnəs/
• Rhymes: -əʊnəs

[edit] Noun

onus (countable and uncountable; plural onuses)

1. A legal obligation.

   The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.

2. (uncountable) Burden of proof, onus probandi

   The onus is on those who disagree with my proposal to explain why.

3. Stigma.
   • 1993, Dorothy Mermin, Godiva's Ride: Women of Letters in England, 1830-1880, page 19:

     Geraldine evades the onus of ambition by subordinating it to the service of her family, and escapes the onus of sexuality by bodily mutilation

4. Blame.
   • 1977, Daniel Yergin, Shattered Peace: The Origins of the Cold War and the National Security State, page 6:

     ... what might be called "onus-shifting" — each side trying to make a record and place blame on the other for the division of Europe and the Cold War itself.

5. Responsibility; burden.
   • 2000, Beatles, Brian Roylance, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, The Beatles Anthology, page 174:

     The onus isn't on us to produce something great every time. The onus is on the public to decide whether they like it or not.

[edit] Related terms

• onerous
• onus probandi

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: nosu
• nous

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[edit] Latin

[edit] Noun

onus (genitive oneris); n, third declension

1. burden, load

[edit] Inflection

Number	Singular	Plural
nominative	onus	onera
genitive	oneris	onerum
dative	onerī	oneribus
accusative	onus	onera
ablative	onere	oneribus
vocative	onus	onera

[edit] Derived terms

• onus probandī

[edit] Descendants

• English: onus