v. & n.
v. 1 tr. act against with (esp. armed) force. 2 tr. seek to hurt or defeat. 3 tr. criticize adversely. 4 tr. act harmfully upon (a virus attacking the nervous system). 5 tr. vigorously apply oneself to; begin work on (attacked his meal with gusto). 6 intr. make an attack. 7 intr. be in a mode of attack.
n. 1 the act or process of attacking. 2 an offensive operation or mode of behaviour. 3 Mus. the action or manner of beginning a piece, passage, etc. 4 gusto, vigour. 5 a sudden occurrence of an illness. 6 a player or players seeking to score goals etc. attacker n.
[ F attaque, attaquer f. It. attacco attack, attaccare ATTACH ]