Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AS-SAIL, v.t. [Fr. assaillir, from L. assilio, to leap or rush upon, of ad and salio, to leap, to rise.]

1. To leap or fall upon by violence; to assault; to attack suddenly, as when one person falls upon another to beat him.
2. To invade or attack, in a hostile manner, as an army, or nation. – Spenser.
3. To attack with arguments, censure, abuse, or criticism, with a view to injure, bring into disrepute, or overthrow.
4. To attack, with a view to overcome, by motives applied to the passions. Nor hide the encounter of assailing eyes. – Shak.