assault

/ə-ˈsȯlt/

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

noun

  1. a violent physical or verbal attack

  2. a military attack usually involving direct combat with enemy forces

  3. a concerted effort (as to reach a goal or defeat an adversary)

an assault on the enemy's air base

verb

  1. to make an assault on : to attack violently

  2. rape

  3. to make an assault

assaulted a police officer

attack assail assault bombard storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

noun

  1. a small portable boat used in an amphibious military attack or in land warfare for crossing rivers or lakes