onus

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₃enh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃énh₂os Proto-Italic *onos Latin onuslbor. English onus Learned borrowing from Latin onus (literally “burden”).

1. A legal obligation.

   “The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.”

2. Burden of proof, onus probandi.

   “The argument is founded on a principle which is now acknowledged to be universal; and the onus of disproof must lie with those who may be bold enough to take up the position that a region exists where at last the Principle of Continuity fails.”

3. Stigma.

   “Geraldine evades the onus of ambition by subordinating it to the service of her family, and escapes the onus of sexuality by bodily mutilation”

4. Blame.

   “He'll always bear the onus of having caused the accident.”

   “... 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.”

5. Responsibility; burden.

   “The onus is on those who disagree with my proposal to explain why.”

   “The onus is on you to make the first move.”