Assail (ăssāl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assailed (-sāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Assailing.] [OE. assailen, asailen, OF. asaillir, assailler, F. assaillir; a (L. ad) + saillir to burst out, project, fr. L. salire to leap, spring; cf. L. assilire to leap or spring upon. See Sally.] 1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery.
[1913 Webster]

No rude noise mine ears assailing. Cowper.
[1913 Webster]

No storm can now assail
The charm he wears within. Keble.
[1913 Webster]

2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
[1913 Webster]

The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. Pope.
[1913 Webster]

3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like.
[1913 Webster]

The papal authority . . . assailed. Hallam.
[1913 Webster]

They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony. Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See Attack.
[1913 Webster]