Assault \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Assault \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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