onus Hear it!

onus definition

onus (ō′nəs)

noun

  1. a difficult or unpleasant task, duty, etc.; burden
  2. responsibility for a wrong; blame

  3. Etymology: clip of L onus probandi, burden of proving

    burden of proof

Etymology: L, a load, burden < IE base *enos- or *onos- > Sans ánaḥ, freight cart

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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