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Assail is a verb that has several related meanings. At its core, it refers to the act of making a concerted and forceful attack or assault on someone or something, whether physically, verbally, or emotionally. It can be used in both the literal and metaphorical sense, encompassing the idea of launching a vigorous and aggressive offensive against a target.
In its physical sense, assail typically implies a violent act directed towards a person with the intention of inflicting harm or causing injury. This could involve physically attacking someone physically, such as punching or hitting them, or even using weapons. However, it can also extend to non-physical attacks, such as a barrage of criticism or verbal insults that deeply affect someone emotionally.
In a more figurative sense, assail conveys the idea of vigorously and persistently attacking an idea, belief, or position. It describes the act of challenging or criticizing someone or something relentlessly, attempting to weaken or undermine their stance or credibility. This can take the form of intense and persuasive arguments, hostile questioning, or continuous opposition to a particular viewpoint.
To assail can also refer to the act of being overwhelmed or burdened by something, suggesting that one is being bombarded or assailed by a flood of challenges, problems, or obstacles.
Overall, assail encapsulates the notion of aggressive attack and confrontation, whether carried out physically, verbally, or metaphorically, with the aim of causing harm, discrediting, or overwhelming the target.
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To leap or fall upon by violence; to attack with a view to overcome or injure, as in words or writing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "assail" has its origins in the Old French word "assaillir", which means "to assail" or "to attack". It further traces back to the Latin term "adsalire", which combines the prefix "ad" meaning "to" or "towards" with "salire", meaning "to leap" or "to jump". Hence, the word "assail" ultimately conveys the idea of a forceful attack or assault.
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
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would be assailling
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would be assailling
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would be assailling
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
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would have assailed
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would have assail
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CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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would have been assailling
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CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been assailing
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would have been assailing
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
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would be assailing
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would be assailing
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FUTURE
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will assail
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FUTURE CONTINUOUS
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FUTURE PERFECT
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FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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IMPERATIVE
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let´s assail
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PAST
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PAST CONTINUOUS
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was assailing
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were assailing
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was assailling
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PAST PARTICIPLE
assailed
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PAST PERFECT
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had assailed
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had assailled
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PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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had been assailing
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had been assailing
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had been assailling
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PRESENT
I
assail
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assail
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assails
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PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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am assailing
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are assailing
he/she/it
is assailing
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are assailing
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am assailling
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are assailling
he/she/it
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PRESENT PARTICIPLE
assailing
assailling
PRESENT PERFECT
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have assailed
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have assailed
he/she/it
has assailed
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have assailled
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have assailled
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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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have been assailing
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have been assailing
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have been assailling
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have been assailling
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PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
assail
SIMPLE PAST
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assailed
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assailed
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assailed
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