Dictionary
at•tack
Pronunciation: (u-tak'), [key]—
v.t.
1. to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with:
He attacked him with his bare hands.
2. to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against:
to attack the enemy.
3. to blame or abuse violently or bitterly.
4. to direct unfavorable criticism against; criticize severely; argue with strongly:
He attacked his opponent's statement.
5. to try to destroy, esp. with verbal abuse:
to attack the mayor's reputation.
6. to set about (a task) or go to work on (a thing) vigorously:
to attack housecleaning; to attack the hamburger hungrily.
7. (of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect.
—
v.i.
to make an attack; begin hostilities.
—
n.
1. the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.
2. a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position.
3. Pathol.seizure by disease or illness:
an attack of indigestion.
4. the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
5. an aggressive move in a performance or contest.
6. the approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
