attack etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: ataken, from Old French atachier, probably from Old High German attacchen ("to attach")

Meaning:

• To physically assault with intent to harm.
• To launch a verbal or emotional assault.
• To attempt to gain control or influence over something or someone.

Origin:

The earliest known use of "attack" dates back to the 12th century. It derives from the Old French verb atachier, which means "to attach." This word, in turn, is believed to have originated from the Old High German word attacchen, which means "to bind" or "to fix."

The meaning of "attack" has evolved over time to encompass not only physical assaults but also verbal and emotional assaults, as well as attempts to gain control or influence. This broader usage reflects the various ways in which individuals and groups can harm or threaten others.

Today, "attack" is a common word used in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from military operations to discussions of personal relationships. It remains a powerful term that conveys a sense of aggression, violence, and harm.

attack relate terms

• attach

  Etymology the study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time

• detach

  Etymology Old French destachier Late Latin distaccare Medieval Latin dis taccar

• stake

  Etymology The word stake has multiple origins Old English staca meaning a pole o

• attached

  Etymology From Middle English attachen from Anglo French atacher ultimately from Vulgar

• counterattack

  Etymology Counterattack is a compound word derived from Counter From Old French c

• attack

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

• defend

  Etymology The word defend derives from the Old French word defendre which itself ori

• round

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

• infest

  Infest Etymology Late Middle English in the sense attack violently from Latin

• aggression

  Etymology of Aggression The term aggression derives from the Latin word aggressio w

• assault

  Etymology Assault is derived from the Old French assault meaning an attack which

• invasion

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

• devolution

  Etymology Late Latin devolutio a rolling down Latin devolvere to roll down tra

• torpedo

  Etymology The word torpedo comes from the Latin word torpedo which means numbness

• bombard

  Etymology The word bombard originates from the French word bombarde which in turn i