— assailable , adj. — assailableness , n. — assailer , n. — assailment , n.
/euh sayl"/ , v.t.
1. to attack vigorously or violently; assault.
2. to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.: to assail one's opponent with slander.
3. to undertake with the purpose of mastering: He assailed his studies with new determination.
4. to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset: His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments. The light assailed their eyes.
[ 1175-1225; ME asaylen asalir assalire, equiv. to L as- AS- + salire to leap, spring ]
Syn. 1. See attack. 2. asperse, malign.