Defn: The act or offense of grubbing up trees and bushes, and thus destroying the tickets or coverts of a forest. Spelman. Cowell.
2. A piece of land cleared of trees and bushes, and fitted for cultivation; a clearing. Ash. Assart land, forest land cleared of woods and brush.
ASSART
As*sart", v. t.
Defn: To grub up, as trees; to commit an assart upon; as, to assart land or trees. Ashmole.
ASSASSIN As*sas"sin, n. Etym: [F. (cf. It. assassino), fr. Ar. one who has drunk of the hashish. Under its influence the Assassins of the East, followers of the Shaikh al-Jabal (Old Man of the Mountain), were said to commit the murders required by their chief.]
Defn: One who kills, or attempts to kill, by surprise or secret assault; one who treacherously murders any one unprepared for defense.
ASSASSIN
As*sas"sin, v. t.
Defn: To assassinate. [Obs.] Stillingfleet.
ASSASSINATE
As*sas"sin*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assassinated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Assassinating.] Etym: [LL. assassinatus, p. p. of assassinare.]
1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence. Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force, and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated. Dryden.