assautt

Older spelling of a ault. a ay (a-sa'), n. [ E. e ay, q. v.) = Pr. e ai = Cat.ensatg= Sp.ensayo = Pg. ensaio (ML. reflex a agium, a ai a, e agium, e ayum), Neither is it enough to have taken a slender taste or a ay thereof. Udall , Pref. to Luke. This cannot be, By no a ay of reason. Shak., Othello, i. 3. He hath made an a ay of her virtue. Shak ., M. for M., iii. 1. Hence-2t. Trial by danger; risk; adventure. Through many hard a ayes which did betide. Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 35. 31. Trial; tribulation; affliction. She heard with patience all unto the end, And strove to maister sorrow full a ay . Spenser, F. Q., I. vii. 27. 4. The trial of the purity, weight, etc., of metals or metallic substances, as ores and al- loys; any operation or experiment for ascer- taining the quantity of a precious metal in an ore or a mineral, or in coin or bullion. See as- saying .-5. The substance to be a ayed. Ure.- 6. In law , an examination of weights and mea- sures by the standard. Cowell .-7. Formerly, the act or custom of tasting the food or drink in- tended for another, as a king, before presenting it.-8t. Value; ascertained purity: as, "stones of rich a ay , ” Spenser , F. Q., IV. x. 15. - Annual a ay, an annual official trial of gold and silver coin to ascertain whether the standard of finene and weight of coinage is maintained. - At all a ayst. ( a ) At every trial or in every juncture; always. (6) At all hazards; ready for every event. - Cup of a ay, the small cup with which the a ay of wine, etc., was made. made. (See 7.)- Put it more is oftentimes effected by regu Washington, in Bancroft's Hist. Const., I. 454. Specifically-2. In law, an unlawful attack upon the person of another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, coupled with present ability to effect it, but irrespective of whether the person is touched or not, as by lifting the fist or a cane in a threatening manner. If the person is struck, the act is called a ault and battery. In Scotland this distinction is not regarded. A aults are variously punished. lar approaches than by an open a ault. 3. An attack with other than physical force, as by means of legislative measures, by arguments, invective, appeals, etc.: as, an a ault upon the constitution of government; an as sault upon one's reputation. I would have thought her spirit had been invincible against all a aults of affection. Shak ., Much Ado, ii. 3. A ault of or at arms, the attack made upon each other by the opposite parties in fencing or in military exercises. = Syn. Charge, Onslaught, etc. See onset. a ault (a-salt'), v. t. [ asaute (and by apheresis saute , later sault ) , asauter , later a aulter = Sp. asaltar = Pg . as saltar = It. as salt are , as salt are , ad , to, upon, + salt are , leap: see the noun.] 1. Το attack by physical means; fall upon with violence or with a hostile intention: as, to a ault a man, a house, a town. Look in upon me then, and speak with me, Or, naked as I am, I will a ault thee. Shak ., Othello, v. 2. Specifically-2. In law , to attempt or offer to do violence to another, with present ability to accomplish it. See a ault , n., 2.-3. To attack with other than physical force; a ail with arguments, complaints, hostile words, etc. The cries of babes new-born... A ault his ears. Dryden. =Syn. Attack, Set upon, etc. (see a ail ); to storm. See attack.