— assaultable , adj. — assaulter , n.
/euh sawlt"/ , n.
1. a sudden, violent attack; onslaught: an assault on tradition.
2. Law. an unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.
3. Mil. the stage of close combat in an attack.
4. rape 1 .
v.t.
5. to make an assault upon; attack; assail.
[ 1200-50; ME asaut assaltus (r. L assultus ), equiv. to L as- AS- + saltus a leap ( sal ( ire ) to leap + -tus suffix of v. action) ]
Syn. 1. onset, charge; invasion, aggression. 5. See attack .