definition of
assail

[1] #1 assail v. [assault, set on, attack] attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly". wn

[2] #2 assail v. [attack] launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with; "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week". wn

[3] #3 assail v. [attack, round, lash out, snipe, assault] attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker". wn