assail: Meaning and Definition of

as•sail

Pronunciation: (u-sāl'), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to attack vigorously or violently; assault.
  2. to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.: to assail one's opponent with slander.
  3. to undertake with the purpose of mastering: He assailed his studies with new determination.
  4. to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset: His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments. The light assailed their eyes.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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