No rude noise mine ears assailing. --Cowper.
No storm can now assail The charm he wears within.
--Keble.
2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering,
as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. --Pope.
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.
The papal authority . . . assailed. --Hallam.
They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed
him with still keener irony. --Macaulay.
Syn: To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See
{Attack}.