1. To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces. Insnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound. Milton.
2. To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a reputation or an administration. Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . . Assault his ears. Dryden.
Note: In the latter sense, assail is more common.
Syn.
— To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See Attack.
ASSAULTABLE
As*sault"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being assaulted.
ASSAULTER
As*sault"er, n.
Defn: One who assaults, or violently attacks; an assailant. E. Hall.
ASSAY
As*say", n. Etym: [OF. asai, essai, trial, F. essa. See Essay, n.]
1. Trial; attempt; essay. [Obs.] Chaucer. I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more easy in the assay than it now seems at distance. Milton.