assault
- Noun. 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.
- Noun. 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.
- Noun. (context, criminal) An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
- Noun. (singulare tantum, legal) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
- Noun. (context, tort) An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
- Noun. (singulare tantum, legal) The tort whose action is such an act.
- Noun. (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
- Verb. To attack, threaten or harass.
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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.