assail

Word family

as·sail /əˈseɪl/ verb [transitiveT] formal

1 EFFECT/INFLUENCEif you are assailed by unpleasant thoughts or feelings, they worry or upset you 困扰

Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.

卡拉突然为各种疑问所困扰。

n Grammar

Assail is usually passive in this meaning.

2 if a strong smell or loud sound assails you, you suddenly experience it 〔强烈的气味或巨响〕刺激

The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.

腐肉的气味向她扑鼻而来。

3. ATTACKto attack someone or something violently 猛烈攻击，袭击

4 to criticize someone or something severely 抨击

n The press assailed the proposals.

5assail sb for sth

He was assailed for gross misconduct.

他因严重渎职而受到抨击。

Examples from the Corpus

assail• They came in four pairs from the only four directions from which the farm could be assailed.• The moment he'd entered Rose Bower the smell of fresh paint had assailed his nostrils.• Many were convinced of Thornton's guilt and he was assailed in local and London newspapers.• As the train rattled on, however, doubts began to assail me.• We approached the east landing cautiously and the cliffs awoke with bird clamour which was to assail our ears until we left.• Walk through the doors at the Slab and the just-out-of-the-oven aroma of fresh-baked cones assails the senses.• He should assail the stronger with weapons, fire, and the administration of poisons.

Origin assail

(1200-1300) Old French asaillir, from Latin assilire, from ad- “to” + salire “to jump”

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