Collins English-English Dictionary

assault [ə'sɔːlt]

1. 1. n a violent attack, either physical or verbal

2. 2. n [law] an intentional or reckless act that causes another person to expect to be subjected to immediate and unlawful violence - Compare battery assault and battery

3. 3. n the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters

4. 4. n (as modifier)

   assault troops

5. 5. n rape or attempted rape

6. 6. vt. [tr] to make an assault upon

7. 7. vt. to rape or attempt to rape

8. 8. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French asaut, from Vulgar Latin assaltus (unattested), from assalire (unattested) to leap upon; see assail