Ontzet

Ontzet is a Dutch noun with two principal meanings. In everyday language it denotes a state of extreme shock, alarm, or indignation, as in the expression iemand verkeert in ontzetting or in ontzetting verkeren. This sense derives from the verb ontzetten, which historically carried meanings related to causing distress or removing danger, and has since become associated with emotional reactions to frightening or surprising events.

In a historical and cultural context, ontzet refers to the relief or liberation of a besieged city. The most well-known example is the Ontzet van Leiden, the relief of Leiden in 1574 during the Dutch Revolt, when Spanish forces were forced to abandon the siege after Dutch and water-defense efforts broke the siege and opened the way for relief troops and ships. The event is commemorated in Leiden and elsewhere on 3 October as a civic holiday and a symbol of resilience. In historiography and popular usage, ontzet is used to name the moment of relief from siege, rather than merely a feeling of shock.

Etymology-wise, ontzet stems from the verb ontzetten, involving the prefix ont- and related to removing from danger or distress, with the noun form capturing both the emotional response to danger and the specific historical act of being relieved from siege. Today the word is most often encountered in the Leiden tradition, but it can also appear in broader historical or symbolic references to relief from siege.