GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Assail , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assailed ; 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.]
   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.
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   No rude noise mine ears assailing.
   Cowper.
   
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   No storm can now assail
   The charm he wears within.
   Keble.
   
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   To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
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   The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail.
   Pope.
   
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   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.
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   The papal authority . . . assailed.
   Hallam.
   
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   They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony.
   Macaulay.
   
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   Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See Attack.
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