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assail

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The definition of assail is to physically or verbally attack someone.

(verb)

Making fun of someone in a hurtful way is an example of to assail.
Hitting someone is an example of to assail.

See assail in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to attack physically and violently; assault
to attack with arguments, questions, doubts, etc.
to begin working on (a task, problem, etc.) with vigor and determination
to have a forceful effect on: a loud noise assailed her ears

Origin: ME assailen < OFr asaillir < VL assalire, for L assilire, to leap on < ad-, to + salire, to leap: see salient

Related Forms:

assailable adjective
assailer noun
assailment noun

See assail in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb as·sailed, as·sail·ing, as·sails

To attack with or as if with violent blows; assault.
To attack verbally, as with ridicule or censure. See Synonyms at attack.
To trouble; beset: was assailed by doubts.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English assailen

Origin: , from Old French asalir, asaill-

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *assalīre

Origin: , variant of Latin assilīre, to jump on

Origin: : ad-, onto; see ad-

Origin: + salīre, to jump; see sel- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

as·sailˈa·ble adjective

as·sailˌa·bilˈi·ty noun

as·sailˈer noun

as·sailˈment noun

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