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

Example sentences from the Web for assailment

British Dictionary definitions for assailment

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, noun

Word Origin for assail

C13: from Old French asalir, from Vulgar Latin assalīre (unattested) to leap upon, from Latin assilīre, from salīre to leap