(v. t.) To fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and
arms; to assault.
(v. t.) To assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a
controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into disrepute, by
criticism or satire; to censure; as, to attack a man, or his opinions,
in a pamphlet.
(v. t.) To set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some
object of labor or investigation.
(v. t.) To begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or
destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.
(v. i.) To make an onset or attack.
(n.) The act of attacking, or falling on with force or violence;
an onset; an assault; -- opposed to defense.
(n.) An assault upon one's feelings or reputation with
unfriendly or bitter words.
(n.) A setting to work upon some task, etc.
(n.) An access of disease; a fit of sickness.
(n.) The beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive
action, by a chemical agent.
