Onus
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /ˈəʊnəs/
- US IPA: /ˈoʊnəs/
- Rhymes: -əʊnəs
Origin
From Latin onus ("burden").
Full definition of onus
Noun
onus
(countable and uncountable; plural onuss)- A legal obligation.The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.
- (uncountable) Burden of proof, onus probandiThe onus is on those who disagree with my proposal to explain why.
- Stigma.
- 1993, Dorothy Mermin, Godiva's Ride: Women of Letters in England, 1830-1880, Geraldine evades the onus of ambition by subordinating it to the service of her family, and escapes the onus of sexuality by bodily mutilation
- Blame.
- 1977, Daniel Yergin, Shattered Peace: The Origins of the Cold War and the National Security State, ... 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.
- Responsibility; burden.
- 2000, Beatles, The Beatles Anthology, 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.