Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Assault
As-sault′
,Noun.
[OE.
asaut
, assaut
, OF. assaut
, asalt
, F. assaut
, LL. assaltus
; L. ad
+ saltus
a leaping, a springing, salire
to leap. See Assail
.] 1.
A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset;
as, to make
. assault
upon a man, a house, or a townThe Spanish general prepared to renew the
assault
. Prescott.
Unshaken bears the
Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
assault
Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
Wordsworth.
2.
A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like;
as, to make an
. assault
on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a governmentClarendon.
3.
(Law)
An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.
Blackstone. Wharton.
Practically, however, the word
assault
is used to include the battery. Mozley & W.
Syn. – Attack; invasion; incursion; descent; onset; onslaught; charge; storm.
As-sault′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Assaulted
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Assaulting
.] 1.
To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces.
Insnared,
assaulted
, overcome, led bound. Milton.
2.
To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or unfriendly measures; to assail;
as, to
. assault
a reputation or an administrationBefore the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . .
Assault
his ears. Dryden.
☞ In the latter sense, assail is more common.
Syn. – To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See
Attack
. Webster 1828 Edition
Assault
ASSAULT'
,Noun.
1.
An attack or violent onset, whether by an individual, a company, or an army. An assault by private persons may be made with or without weapons. As assault by an army is a violent hostile attack; and when made upon a fort or fortified place is called a storm, as opposed to sap or siege.2.
An attack by hostile words or measures; as, an assault upon the prerogatives of a prince, or upon a constitution of government.3.
In Law, an unlawful setting upon one's person; an attempt or offer to beat another, without touching his person; as by lifting the fist or a cane, in a threatening manner. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.ASSAULT'
, v.t.1.
To attack or fall upon by violence, or with a hostile intention; as, to assault a man, a house or town.2.
To invade or fall on with force; as, the cry of war assaults our ears.3.
To attack by words, arguments or unfriendly measures, with a view to shake, impair or overthrow; as, to assault a character, the laws or the administration.Definition 2024
assault
assault
English
Noun
assault (plural assaults)
- A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
- Prescott
- The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.
- Shakespeare
- Unshaken bears the assault / Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
- Prescott
- A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.
- (criminal, law) An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
- (singular only, law) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
- (tort law) An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
- (singular only, law) The tort whose action is such an act.
- (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Derived terms
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Coordinate terms
Translations
a violent onset or attack
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Verb
assault (third-person singular simple present assaults, present participle assaulting, simple past and past participle assaulted)
Translations
to attack, threaten or harass
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