Definition of: assault

(a·sôlt′) noun
1. Any violent attack, as an act, speech, or writing assailing a person or institution.
2. Law An unlawful attempt or offer to do bodily injury to another: distinguished from battery.
3. A rape.
4. Mil. A violent attack by troops, as upon a fortified place. See synonyms under AGGRESSION, ATTACK.
—v.t. & v.i. To attack with violence; make an assault (upon). [<OF asaut <L ad-to + salire leap]
—as·sault′er noun