What is the Latin word for onset, onslaught?

The usual Latin words for “onset, onslaught” are petītiō, impetus, incursiō; also incurrō, adorior, oppugnō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“onset, onslaught” in Latin

petītiōan attack, thrust, blow; a request, petition, beseeching; an applying for office impetusan attack, an assault, a charge; a rapid motion; impulse, vehemence, ardor, passion incursiōan onrush, an attack.; an invasion, incursion incurrōto run into or towards; to attack, invade; to happen (to), befall, occur, to incur adoriorto assail, assault, attack; to accost, approach; to undertake, initiate, engage in oppugnōto attack, assault, storm, besiege impugnōto attack, fight against; to impugn, assail

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

onset, onslaught

petitio (act of aiming at): impetus: incursio: incursus: to make an onset on anybody, (1) PROP., adoriri, aggredi aliquem: impetum facere or invadere in aliquem: incurrere or incursare in aliquem: oppugnare or impugnare (aliquem): (2) figuratively, with words, dicto or convicio incessere, lacessere, insectari, consectari, adoriri aliquem (general term). (acriter) invehi in aliquem (inveigh against); petere aliquem.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for onset, onslaught?: The usual Latin words for “onset, onslaught” are petītiō, impetus, incursiō; also incurrō, adorior, oppugnō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.