- assault
- the crime or tort of acting in such a way that someone is afraid he or she will be attacked and hurt
Example She was assaulted by two muggers.- the offence of acting intentionally to make someone afraid that they will be attacked and hurt
Examples He was sent to prison for assault. • The number of cases of assault or the number of assaults on policemen is increasing.(Note As a crime or tort, assault has no plural. When it has a plural it means ‘cases of assault’.)
Definition
verb
noun
COMMENT Assault should be distinguished from battery, in that assault is the threat of violence, whereas battery is actual violence. However, because the two are so closely connected, the term ‘assault’ is frequently used as a general term for violence to a person. ‘Aggravated assault’ is assault causing serious injury or carried out in connection with another serious crime. The term ‘common assault’ is frequently used for any assault which is not an aggravated assault.