n A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
n A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogative | prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.
n (context|criminal|legal) An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
n (singulare tantum|legal) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
n (context|tort|_|legal) An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
n (singulare tantum|legal) The tort whose action is such an act.
n (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.