°A violent
onset or
attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an
onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
°A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the
prerogatives of a prince, or on the
constitution of a government.
verb