oncoming

noun

1. Approach, onset

   “Some man that wayfaring was stood by housedoor at night's oncoming.”

   “When she saw the oncoming of the armed men, with the King shining at their head, Little-Foot was again thrown into terror and begged her brother to escape while there was yet time […]”

   “Instead, the sound of muffled drums Inside myself: I have to lean And listen as my strength succumbs, To hear what these oncomings mean.”

   “[…] And Wouldn't slow for the hauled reins, his name, Or shouts of walkers: crossroad traffic Stalling curbside at his oncoming The world subdued to his run of it.”

adj

1. (not-comparable)approaching; coming closer

   “Look carefully before pulling out into oncoming traffic.”

   “1894, Ivan Dexter, Talmud: A Strange Narrative of Central Australia, published in serial form in Port Adelaide News and Lefevre's Peninsula Advertiser (SA), Chapter XIII, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks16/1600641.txt The attack was made so unexpectedly that Garfield had no time to escape the oncoming spears, three of which struck him in the body.”

   “A bitter easterly breeze blew with a threat of oncoming winter.”

   “For example, when trailers containing new automobiles were first piggybacked two areas of potential damage became evident: (1) diesel locomotive exhaust left a film of oil on the new autos; and (2) auto windshields could be scarred or cracked by the metal-tipped "tell-tales" which warn men atop trains of oncoming bridges or tunnels.”

   “A healthier, stronger individual can deal with it better and is less frightened by oncoming death when it is still "miles away" than when it "is right in front of the door," as one of our patients put it so appropriately.”

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of oncome