assail
[ uh-seyl ]
/ əˈseɪl /
verb (used with object)
to attack vigorously or violently; assault.
to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.: to assail one's opponent with slander.
to undertake with the purpose of mastering: He assailed his studies with new determination.
to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset: His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments. The light assailed their eyes.
Origin of assail
1175–1225; Middle English
asaylen < Old French
asalir < Late Latin
assalīre, equivalent to Latin
as-
as- +
salīre to leap, spring
synonym study for assail
1. See
attack.
OTHER WORDS FROM assail
Words nearby assail
ass.,
assad,
assad, hafez al-,
assagai,
assai,
assail,
assailant,
assam,
assam states,
assamese,
assassin
Example sentences from the Web for assailing
British Dictionary definitions for assailing
assail
/ (əˈseɪl) /
verb (tr)
to attack violently; assault
to criticize or ridicule vehemently, as in argument
to beset or disturb
his mind was assailed by doubts
to encounter with the intention of mastering
to assail a problem; to assail a difficult mountain ridge
Derived forms of assail
assailable, adjective assailer, noun assailment, nounWord Origin for assail
C13: from Old French
asalir, from Vulgar Latin
assalīre (unattested) to leap upon, from Latin
assilīre, from
salīre to leap