assault etymology

Etymology

"Assault" is derived from the Old French "assault" (meaning "an attack"), which in turn comes from the Latin "insultus" (meaning "an onset, an attack"). The ultimate origin is the Latin verb "insultare" (meaning "to leap upon, to attack").

Meaning and Origin

An assault is an unlawful act that intentionally or recklessly causes bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person. Assault can range from minor incidents, such as pushing or shoving, to serious attacks involving weapons.

The legal definition of assault varies by jurisdiction, but the common element is the intention or recklessness with which the act is committed. The intent to harm is not necessary for an assault; the act itself is sufficient.

Assault is typically divided into two categories:

  • Simple assault: This is a basic assault that does not result in serious bodily injury.
  • Aggravated assault: This is a more serious assault that involves the use of a weapon or that causes serious bodily injury.

Assault is a crime in most jurisdictions and is punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both. The severity of the punishment typically depends on the degree of harm caused by the assault.

assault relate terms

  • fault

    Etymology The word fault derives from the Middle French faulte meaning lack or d

  • fail

    Etymology The word fail traces its origins back to the Latin verb fallere meaning

  • salient

    Etymology Latin saliēns present participle of salīre to leap jump Indo European

  • vault

    Etymology Middle English vaute from Old French veute vault cellar cave from La

  • attack

    Etymology Middle English ataken from Old French atachier probably from Old High Germ

  • round

    Etymology Origin of the Word The word round comes from the Old English word rund w

  • invasion

    Etymology The word invasion originates from the Latin word invasio which means a g

  • impetus

    Etymology Latin impetus attack onset assault Proto Indo European h₂ep to

  • invective

    Etymology The word invective comes from the Latin word invehi which means to carry

  • fight

    Etymology From Middle English fighten fighte from Old English feohtan to fight f

  • rush

    Etymology The word rush has two distinct etymological origins Germanic origin Poss

  • shout

    Etymology Old English scēotan to dart shoot expel Proto Germanic skeutaną Pro