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more about assailing
assailing |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Assail \As*sail"\ ([a^]s*s[=a]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assailed} (-s[=a]ld"); 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}.
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