assault
noun
- physical attack of another person
- action intended to harm the goods or the life of others
- attack, offensive, antagonistic action
verb
- to physically attack
- to make an assault, attack
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /əˈsɒlt/ / /əˈsɔːlt/ / /əˈsɔlt/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English assaut, from Old French noun assaut, derived from the past participle of the verb assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assail. Spelling Latinized around 1530 to add an l.
- A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.
“The army made an assault on the enemy.”
“The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.”
- A violent verbal attack, for example with insults, criticism, and the like
“She launched a written assault on the opposition party.”
- An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching the person, such as by raising a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at the person and missing.
- The crime whose action is such an attempt.
- An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm (such as brandishing a weapon).
- The tort whose action is such an act.
- A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English assaut, from Old French noun assaut, derived from the past participle of the verb assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assail. Spelling Latinized around 1530 to add an l.
- To attack, physically or figuratively; to assail.
“Tom was accused of assaulting another man outside a nightclub.”
“Loud music assaulted our ears as we entered the building.”
- To threaten or harass.