The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Assail \As*sail"\ ([a^]s*s[=a]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Assailed (-s[=a]ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. Assailing.] [OE.
   assailen, asailen, OF. asaillir, assailler, F. assaillir; a
   (L. ad) + saillir to burst out, project, fr. L. salire to
   leap, spring; cf. L. assilire to leap or spring upon. See
   Sally.]
   1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile
      manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with
      blows; to assail a city with artillery.
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            No rude noise mine ears assailing.    --Cowper.
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            No storm can now assail
            The charm he wears within.            --Keble.
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   2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering,
      as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
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            The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. --Pope.
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   3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in
      the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages,
      institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.;
      as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse,
      ridicule, and the like.
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            The papal authority . . . assailed.   --Hallam.
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            They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed
            him with still keener irony.          --Macaulay.
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   Syn: To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See
        Attack.
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