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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Onerous cause

Onerous \On"er*ous\, a. [L. onerosus, fr. onus, oneris, a load, burden: cf. F. on['e]reux.] Burdensome; oppressive. ``Too onerous a solicitude.''
--I. Taylor.

Onerous cause (Scots Law), a good and legal consideration; -- opposed to gratuitous.