attack

at•tack

[[t]əˈtæk[/t]] v. t.

1) to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with:

The guard dog attacked the prowler[/ex]

2) mil to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against:

to attack the enemy[/ex]

3) to accuse, blame, or criticize severely; abuse verbally

4) to try to harm, undermine, or destroy, esp. with verbal abuse:

to attack someone's reputation[/ex]

5) to set about doing or working on vigorously

6) (of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect

7) to make an attack; begin hostilities

8) the act of attacking; onslaught; assault

9) mil a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position

10) pat seizure by disease, illness, or other condition:

an attack of indigestion; an attack of hiccups[/ex]

11) an experiencing of some sensation or response:

an attack of remorse; an attack of the giggles[/ex]

12) the beginning or initiating of some action; onset

13) an aggressive move in a performance or contest

14) mus the approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase

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Etymology: 1590–1600; < MF atta(c)quer < It attaccare to attack, attach at•tack′a•ble, adj. at•tack′er, n. syn: attack, assail, assault all mean to set upon someone forcibly, with hostile or violent intent. attack is a general word that applies to the beginning of any planned aggressive action, physical or verbal: to attack an enemy from ambush; to attack a candidate's record. assail implies a vehement, sudden, and usu. repeated attack that aims to weaken an opponent: assailed by gunfire; assailed by gossip. assault implies a violent physical attack involving direct contact; it may also refer to a sudden and violent verbal attack: an elderly couple assaulted by a mugger; a reputation assaulted by the press.