Definitions for: Assault


[n] a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
[n] the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
[n] close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
[n] thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946
[v] attack verbally, in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
[v] attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"



Webster (1913) Definition: As*sault", n. [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 town.

The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.
--Prescott.

Unshaken bears the 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 government. --Clarendon.

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", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assaulted; p. pr. &
vb. n. Assaulting.] [From Assault, n.: cf. OF. assaulter,
LL. assaltare.]
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 administration.

Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . .
Assault his ears. --Dryden.

Note: In the latter sense, assail is more common.

Syn: To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See
Attack.

Synonyms: assail, assail, attack, attack, lash out, rape, ravishment, round, set on, snipe, violation

See Also: abuse, aggravated assault, attack, attempt, bait, barrage, battery, battle, beset, blackguard, blister, bulldog, carnal abuse, clapperclaw, claw, conflict, criticise, criticize, date rape, desecrate, dishonor, dishonour, engagement, fight, jump, molest, mugging, onrush, onset, onslaught, outrage, pick apart, profane, rape, ravish, reassail, resisting arrest, rip, rubbish, rush, savage, set, set upon, sexual abuse, sexual assault, shout, sic, statutory rape, storm, thoroughbred, violate, vitriol, whang, whip

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