English Explanatory Dictionary

assail

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To attack with harsh words or violent force.
  2. To overcome or successfully argue against; defeat.

Pronunciation

/əˈseɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-assail.wav

Word forms

assail assails assailing assailed

Etymology

From Middle English assailen, from Old French assaillir, assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assault.

Synonyms

barrage

Related words

assault

Derived words

assailable assailant assailer assailment reassail unassailability unassailed unassailing
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on A Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary