assail

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:
1175–1225; Middle English asaylen < Old French asalir < Late Latin assalīre, equivalent to Latin as- as- + salīre to leap, spring

Related forms

as·sail·a·ble, adjective

as·sail·a·ble·ness, noun

as·sail·er, noun

as·sail·ment, noun

un·as·sailed, adjective

un·as·sail·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1. See attack. 2. asperse, malign.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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to run away hurriedly; flee.

to spend time idly; loaf.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

assail (əˈseɪl)

—vb
1.	to attack violently; assault
2.	to criticize or ridicule vehemently, as in argument
3.	to beset or disturb: his mind was assailed by doubts
4.	to encounter with the intention of mastering: to assail a problem; to assail a difficult mountain ridge

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

as'sailable

—*adj*

as'sailer

—n

as'sailment

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

assail

early 13c., from O.Fr. assailir (12c.), from V.L. *adsalire "to leap at," from L. ad- "at" + salire "to leap" (see salient).

Example sentences

Now a wave of litigation threatens to assail them.

Uncontrollable events may assail them — accidents of fate, health or

weather.

But the depth and breadth of his experience give him an authority that is hard

to assail.

Many others assail it as barbaric.

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Matching Quote

"Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns."

-Charlotte Brontë