Assaults

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Physically attacks someone or something ; delivers a hostile or harsh verbal attack against someone or something
2. Engages in a violent physical confrontation with another person or group ; launches an aggressive or insulting verbal attack to harm or criticize
3. Initiates forceful bodily contact intended to harm ; uses words or behavior to aggressively confront or criticize

Etymology: "Assaults" is the plural of "assault", so it is best understood through the noun. The word traces back to Latin "ad", meaning "at" or "towards", combined with "salire", meaning "jump". Late Latin formed "assalire" from these, meaning to leap at or spring upon someone. The image is physical and direct: a sudden leap toward a target. That sense passed into Old French as "assalir", and its past participle gave rise to the noun "assaut", which carried the idea of a violent onslaught, such as a military attack on a fortification. Middle English borrowed it as "assaut", and the word kept that core meaning of a sudden, forceful attack. Its relative "assail" came into English along a parallel path, so the two words are close cousins. The spelling of "assault" was altered around 1530 when writers added an "l" to make it look more Latin, though the pronunciation did not change to match.

Synonyms: attacks, assailments, offenses, aggressions, batteries

Antonyms: defense, protection, safety, security, shielding