As*sail" (ăs*sāl"), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Assailed (-sāld"); 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. assilire to leap or spring
upon. See Sally.] 1. To attack with violence,
or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to
assail a man with blows; to assail a city with
artillery.
No rude noise mine ears assailing.
Cowper.
No storm can now assail
The charm he wears within.
Keble.
2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of
mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail.
Pope.
3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce
changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions;
to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with
appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like.
The papal authority . . . assailed.
Hallam.
They assailed him with keen invective; they
assailed him with still keener irony.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See
Attack.
