as|sault

as|sault «uh SLT», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a sudden, vigorous attack made with blows or weapons: »

The enemy made an assault on our fort.

SYNONYM(S): onslaught, charge.

2. a sudden and violent attack made on traditions, opinions, or other institutions, with hostile words or actions.

3. Law. a threat or attempt to strike or otherwise do physical harm to a person. Any carrying out of the threat or the success of an attempt is immaterial.

4. = rape. (Cf. ↑rape)

5. the final phase of a military attack; closing with the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting.

–v.t.

1. to make an assault on by means of blows, hand-to-hand fighting, or hostile words; attack. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under attack. (Cf. ↑attack)

2. Archaic. to beset.

–v.i.

to make an assault. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under attack. (Cf. ↑attack)

╂[< Old French asaut < Vulgar Latin assaltus, ultimately < Latin ad- at + salīre to leap]

–as|sault´a|ble, adjective.

–as|sault´er, noun.