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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | asaillir, from Latin assilire, from ad- 'to' + salire 'to jump' |
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as‧sail
[transitive] formal
[transitive] formal1 [usually passive] if you are assailed by unpleasant thoughts or feelings, they worry or upset you : 
Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.
Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.2 if a strong smell or loud sound assails you, you suddenly experience it : The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.
The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.3 to attack someone or something violently
4 to criticize someone or something severely
