assault
English meaning: Assault
Definition
A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.
Example
“to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town”
Another example: “The troops launched a dawn assault on the fortified position.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A serious noun in legal, military, and everyday violence contexts. In law, 'assault' is a specific crime; in the military, an 'assault' is an attack. Also used figuratively ('an assault on the senses').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'asaut' (attack), from Latin 'assaltus', from 'ad-' (to) plus 'saltus' (a leap), entering English around 1200.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- defence
- retreat
- withdrawal
Related Words
- bodily
- repulsed
- rifle
- amphibious
- rape
- grenade
- platoon
- okinawa
- robbery
- airborne
Common Collocations
- sexual assault
- assault rifle
- physical assault
- aggravated assault
- assault charge
Word Forms
assault (n); assaults (pl.); assault (v); assaulted; assaulting
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B