Main Entry:

¹as·sault

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈsȯlt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English assaut, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *assaltus, from assalire

Date:

14th century

1 a: a violent physical or verbal attack b: a military attack usually involving direct combat with enemy forces c: a concerted effort (as to reach a goal or defeat an adversary)2 a: a threat or attempt to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm on a person (as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner) that puts the person in immediate danger of or in apprehension of such harm or contact — compare battery 1b b: rape 2