[a. OF. assaillement: see ASSAIL v. and -MENT.]
1. The action of assailing; an assault, attack.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, 141. These three … cheefest praise at this assailment had.
1614. R. Tailor, Hog hath lost Pearl, in Dodsl., O. P. (1780), VI. 412. Tortur’d by the weak assailments Of earth-sprung griefs.
1836. For. Q. Rev., XVII. 406. The progress of his constant couple through their various assailments.
2. Power or faculty of assailing.
1812. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 182. They may strengthen Canada … beyond the assailment of our lax and divided powers.
