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Definition of Assail
1. Verb. Attack someone physically or emotionally. "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
Specialized synonyms: Bait, Set, Sic, Bulldog, Rush, Blindside, Savage, Reassail, Jump, Beset, Set Upon, Assault, Dishonor, Dishonour, Outrage, Rape, Ravish, Violate, Desecrate, Outrage, Profane, Violate, Molest
Derivative terms: Assailant, Assault, Assault, Assaulter, Assaultive, Attack, Attacker
2. Verb. Launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with. "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
Generic synonyms: Contend, Fight, Struggle
Related verbs: Aggress, Attack
Specialized synonyms: Submarine, Pelt, Pepper, Hit, Strike, Counterattack, Counterstrike, Gas, Storm, Surprise, Blitz, Invade, Occupy, Beleaguer, Besiege, Circumvent, Hem In, Surround, Bomb, Bombard, Strafe, Cannonade, Torpedo, Bust, Raid
Derivative terms: Assailable, Assailant, Attack, Attacker
Antonyms: Defend
3. Verb. Attack in speech or writing. "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
Generic synonyms: Criticise, Criticize, Knock, Pick Apart
Specialized synonyms: Abuse, Blackguard, Clapperclaw, Shout, Claw, Vitriol, Rip, Whang, Barrage, Bombard, Blister, Scald, Whip, Rubbish
Derivative terms: Assailant, Assaulter, Assaultive, Attack, Attacker
Definition of Assail
1. v. t. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery.
Definition of Assail
1. Verb. To attack violently. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Assail
1. to attack [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: attack
Medical Definition of Assail
1. 1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. "No rude noise mine ears assailing." (Cowper) "No storm can now assail The charm he wears within." (Keble) 2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like. "The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail." (Pope) 3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like. "The papal authority . . . Assailed." (Hallam) "They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony." (Macaulay) Synonym: To attack, assault, invade, encounter, fall upon. See Attack. Origin: OE. Assailen, asailen, OF. Asaillir, assailler, F. Assaillir; (L. Ad) + saillir to burst out, project, fr. L. Salire to leap, spring; cf. L. Assilire to leap or spring upon. See Sally. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Literary usage of Assail
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Invasion of the Crimea: Its Origin and an Account of Its Progress Down by Alexander William Kinglake (1868)
"... the Admirals assail Se. who were wielding this hitherto undefined and there-
thence. fore most dreaded power, gave a public acknowledg- to be re?1" ment ..."
2. American State Trials: A Collection of the Important and Interesting by John Davison Lawson, Robert Lorenzo Howard (1918)
"And I say, that in the history of that period of time no man at this bar has ever
dared to assail a prisoner as this prisoner has been. ..."
3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1897)
"... assail him, casting out of his soul pride, anger, jealousy, hatred, avarice,
hypocrisy, idleness. If the candidate for honors desires to become worthy ..."
4. Symbolism: Or, Exposition of the Doctrinal Differences Between Catholics and by Johann Adam Möhler (1844)
"... assail the Protestant doctrine of Justification. With peculiar bitterness did
these sectarians declare themselves ..."
Other Resources:
Breton