Assault — Defs

01 n. A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, …

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.
3.
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.(Law)
“Practically, however, the word assault is used to include the battery.” — Mozley & W.

02 v. t. To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces.

imp. & p. p. Assaulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Assaulting

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.

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