Defn: Murderous. Milton.
ASSASTION
As*sas"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. assatio, fr. L. assare to roast.]
Defn: Roasting. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
ASSAULT
As*sault", n. Etym: [OE. asaut, assaut, OF. assaut, asalt, F. assaut,
LL. assaltus; L. ad + saltus a leaping, a springing, salire to leap.
See Assail.]
1. 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. The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault. Prescott. Unshaken bears the assault Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest. Wordsworth.
2. 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. Clarendon.
3. (Law)
Defn: An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery. Blackstone. Wharton. Practically, however, the word assault is used to include the battery. Mozley & W.
Syn. — Attack; invasion; incursion; descent; onset; onslaught; charge; storm.
ASSAULT
As*sault", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assaulted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Assaulting.] Etym: [From Assault, n.: cf. OF. assaulter, LL.
assaltare.]