different between penetration vs onslaught

English

Etymology

From Middle English penetracioun, from Old French penetracïon, and its source, Latin penetr?ti?, from the participle stem of penetr? (“pierce”, verb).Morphologically penetrate +? -ion

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p?n??t?e??(?)n/

  Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

penetration (countable and uncountable, plural penetrations)

1. The act of penetrating something. [from 15th c.]

   Any penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

2. Specifically, the insertion of the penis (or similar object) during sexual intercourse. [from 17th c.]
3. The act of penetrating a given situation with the mind or faculties; perception, discernment. [from 17th c.]
   • 1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, XVI:

     my observations of her looks and actions became acutely sharpened, and that to a degree which, notwithstanding my efforts to conceal it, could not escape her penetration.

4. (blackjack) A number or fraction that represents how many cards/decks will be dealt before shuffling, in contrast to the total number of cards/decks in play.
5. (marketing) The proportion of the target audience who buy the advertised product or service.

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

From anslaight (compare Dutch aanslag and German Anschlag), equivalent to on- +? slaught.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??nsl??t/

Noun

onslaught (plural onslaughts)

1. A fierce attack.

   Synonym: onrush

2. (by extension) A large number of people or things resembling an attack.

Translations

See also

• slew