Assault Definition
ə-sôlt
assaulted, assaulting, assaults
noun
assaults
A violent physical attack, as with blows.
American Heritage
A violent attack, either physical or verbal.
Webster's New World
A strong or cutting verbal attack.
American Heritage
Webster's New World
A military attack, such as one launched against a fortified area or place.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
assaulted, assaulting, assaults
To make a violent assault upon; attack.
American Heritage
To make an assault (upon)
Webster's New World
To rape.
American Heritage
To attack verbally; criticize or denounce.
American Heritage
To harass or beset.
Assaulted by advertisements.
American Heritage
adjective
Designating a rifle or other firearm, either automatic or semiautomatic, designed especially for military use.
Webster's New World
Origin of Assault
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Middle English assaut from Old French from Vulgar Latin assaltus variant of Latin assultus from past participle of assilīre to jump on assail
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Old French noun assaut, from the verb asaillir, from Latin assiliō, from ad (“towards”) + saliō (“to jump”). See also assail.
From Wiktionary
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