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Today it means

onus

a duty or responsibility

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Where does the word "onus" come from? It comes from Latin onus, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).

Read the full story

Where does the word "onus" come from? It comes from Latin onus, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).

Onus’s story begins in Latin: onus meant “burden.” Related to Sanskrit 'anas', cart. It reached English by 1640s as onus. 'onus of proof' is a legal phrase. Today, onus means a duty or responsibility.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient onus "burden", related to Sanskrit 'anas', cart.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1640s onus "burden", 'onus of proof' is a legal phrase.

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