assault

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Noun.  (singulare tantum, legal) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
  5. Noun.  (context, tort) An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
  6. Noun.  (singulare tantum, legal) The tort whose action is such an act.
  7. Noun.  (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
  8. Verb.  To attack, threaten or harass.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.