noun

1. a violent attack, either physical or verbal
2. rape
3. Law an unlawful threat or unsuccessful attempt to do physical harm to another, causing a present fear of immediate harm
4. Mil.
   1. a sudden attack upon a fortified place
   2. the close-combat phase of an attack

Etymology: ME assaut < OFr assaut, assalt < VL *assaltus < assalire: see assail

transitive verb, intransitive verb

adjective