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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Unshaken bears the assault
Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Practically, however, the word assault is used to include the battery. Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Attack; invasion; incursion; descent; onset; onslaught; charge; storm. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Insnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . .
Assault his ears. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the latter sense, assail is more common. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See Attack. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being assaulted. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. sexually abused; -- a euphemism.
Syn. -- molested, raped, criminally assaulted, sexually assaulted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who assaults, or violently attacks; an assailant. E. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. making an assault.
Syn. -- attacking(prenominal). [ WordNet 1.5 ]