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