noun
onfall
Onfall (noun) means a sudden attack on someone or something.
noun
1
A sudden attack on someone or something.
"Six great land battles I count, with four upon the sea, and seven-and-fifty onfalls, skirmishes and bushments."
— Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company (2008)
"Along with your 'brethren, Get ready your scaling ladders, And your engines of onfall and assault, To attack the walls of Khung."
— James Legge, The Shih King (2004)
2
An occurrence of rain or snow falling.
3
The coming of evening; nightfall.
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Etymology
Comes from Middle English onfal, onfalle, formed from on- and fall. It is cognate with Dutch aanval ('an attack, assault'), German Anfall ('an attack, seizure, fit'), and Swedish anfall ('an attack, offensive, assault'). Compare also Middle English onfallynge ('an onslaught, attack').
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of onfall?
"onfall" (noun) means a sudden attack on someone or something.
What are the different meanings of onfall?
"onfall" has 3 main meanings: 1. A sudden attack on someone or something; 2. An occurrence of rain or snow falling; 3. The coming of evening; nightfall.
