assault

[uh-sawlt] /əˈsɔlt/
noun
1.
a sudden, violent attack; onslaught:
an assault on tradition.
2.
Law. an unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.
3.
Military. the stage of close combat in an attack.
4.
rape1 .
verb (used with object)
5.
to make an assault upon; attack; assail.
Origin
1200-50; Middle English asaut < Old French < Medieval Latin assaltus (replacing Latin assultus), equivalent to Latin as- as- + saltus a leap (sal(īre) to leap + -tus suffix of v. action)
Related forms
assaultable, adjective
assaulter, noun
counterassault, verb (used with object), noun
nonassault, noun
unassaultable, adjective
unassaulted, adjective
Can be confused
assault, battery.
Synonyms
1. onset, charge; invasion, aggression. 5. See attack.
Examples from the web for assault
  • He has been assaulted and robbed.
  • The earplugs will protect against the aural assault of vuvuzelas.
  • Speaking up now may prevent another assault.
  • Parke on our right was repeatedly assaulted, but repulsed every effort.
  • These examples can be aptly described as assaults on the biosphere.
  • He reminds us that the Catalinas are just a small part of the worldwide assault on wilderness areas.
  • The state dropped two counts each of murder, felony murder and aggravated assault.
  • Artillery was brought up and reconnoissances made preparatory to an assault.
  • Other recent claims also are under assault.
  • This assault is the fundamental issue of our time.
British Dictionary definitions for assault

assault

/əˈsɔːlt/
noun
1.
a violent attack, either physical or verbal
2.
(law) an intentional or reckless act that causes another person to expect to be subjected to immediate and unlawful violence Compare battery (sense 4), assault and battery
3.
  1. the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters
  2. (as modifier): assault troops
4.
rape or attempted rape
verb (transitive)
5.
to make an assault upon
6.
to rape or attempt to rape
Derived Forms
assaulter, noun
assaultive, adjective
Word Origin
C13: from Old French asaut, from Vulgar Latin assaltus (unattested), from assalīre (unattested) to leap upon; see assail
Word Origin and History for assault
n.

late 14c., earlier asaut (c.1200), from Old French asaut, assaut "an attack, an assault, attacking forces" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *adsaltus "attack, assault," from ad "to" (see ad-) + Latin saltus "a leap," from salire "to leap, spring" (see assail). In law by 1580s; historically, assault includes menacing words or actions; battery is an actual blow.

v.

early 15c., from Middle French asauter, assauter, from Vulgar Latin *assaltare (see assault (n.)). Related: Assaulted; assaulting.