Assail — As*sail ([a^]s*s[=a]l ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assailed} ( s[=a]ld ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Assailing}.] [OE. assailen, asailen, OF. asaillir, assailler, F. assaillir; a (L. ad) + saillir to burst out, project, fr. L. salire to leap, spring; cf. L.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Assail — may refer to:* Assail (Malazan), a continent in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series * HMAS Assail (P 89), an Attack class patrol boat * USS Assail (AM 147), an Admirable class minesweeperee also* Assail Bank * Assailant … Wikipedia
assail — (v.) c.1200, from O.Fr. assalir attack, assault, assail (12c., Mod.Fr. assaillir), from V.L. *adsalire to leap at, from L. ad at (see AD (Cf. ad )) + salire to leap (see SALIENT (Cf. salient)). Figurative use from mid 14c. Related … Etymology dictionary
assail — bombard, *attack, assault, storm Analogous words: beset (see INFEST): belabor, pummel, buffet, pound, *beat … New Dictionary of Synonyms
assail — [v] attack, usually with words abuse, assault, bash, berate, beset, blast, blister, bust, charge, come at, criticize, encounter, have at*, impugn, invade, lambaste, lay into*, malign, maltreat, molest, revile, set upon*, trash*, vilify, work… … New thesaurus
assail — ► VERB 1) attack violently. 2) (of an unpleasant feeling) come upon (someone) strongly. ORIGIN Latin assalire, from salire to leap … English terms dictionary
assail — [ə sāl′] vt. [ME assailen < OFr asaillir < VL assalire, for L assilire, to leap on < ad , to + salire, to leap: see SALIENT] 1. to attack physically and violently; assault 2. to attack with arguments, questions, doubts, etc. 3. to begin… … English World dictionary
assail — v. (formal) to assail bitterly * * * [ə seɪl] (formal) to assail bitterly … Combinatory dictionary
assail — UK [əˈseɪl] / US verb [transitive] Word forms assail : present tense I/you/we/they assail he/she/it assails present participle assailing past tense assailed past participle assailed 1) to make someone feel worried or upset He was assailed by… … English dictionary
assail — assailable, adj. assailableness, n. assailer, n. assailment, n. /euh sayl /, v.t. 1. to attack vigorously or violently; assault. 2. to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.: to assail one s opponent with slander … Universalium
