As-sāi'l, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ASSAILED; p. pr. & vb. n. ASSAILING.] [Fr. assaillir, O. Fr. assaillir, assailler, Pr. assaillir, from Lat. ad and salire, to leap, spring; L. Lat. adsaliire, assalire, Lat. assilire, to leap or spring upon.] 1. To attack with violence, or in a hostile manner; to assault; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. A thousand battles have assailed thy banks. Byron. 2. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions, &c.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like. The papal authority was steadily, though gradually, assailed. Hallam. The prince next assailed the baron on the subject of settling his estate upon his daughter. W. Scott. Syn.—To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See ATTACK.