ASSAULT

(Lat. a ilio, I leap upon.) In Law, generally speaking, a violent kind of injury offered to a man's person. The nature of an a ault has never been precisely defined; some lawyers being of opinion that a blow or an attempt to strike alone constitutes the offence, others including under this category irritating or abusive language. A ault. In War, an effort made to carry a fortified post, camp, or fortre , wherein the a ailants do not screen themselves by any works. During an a ault, to avoid endangering their own party, the batteries ol the a ailants cease to play. A ault. In Fencing, a mock engagement with foils, in imitation of a real single combat. [s. 108]