assailant

Everyday

(formal, news and police) An assailant is a person who attacks someone physically. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word used in news, police reports and court cases, not in everyday chat. It tells the reader someone was attacked and this is the attacker. Phrases: «the assailant fled», «an unknown assailant», «describe the assailant».

Examples

• The assailant ran off before the police arrived. tree →
• The victim could not see the assailant's face. tree →
• Police are searching for the assailant. tree →
• The shopkeeper fought off his assailant. tree →
• The two assailants were later arrested. tree →
• Witnesses described the assailant as tall with a red hat. tree →
• He now gave the animals in charge of his friend Abderus, and made such a furious onslaught on his assailants that they turned and fled. tree →

Note

Countable noun; formal. Everyday words: attacker, mugger. Related: assail (attack), assault (an attack). Pronounced a-SAY-lent.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalm it means an enemy who attacks the one who trusts in God.

Interpretation. Tradition reads it as a prayer for God's protection. Those who take refuge in God ask Him to save them by His "right hand," a sign of His power.

Examples

• Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand from assailants them that take refuge in Thee. (Writings PSA.17.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun; formal. Everyday words: attacker, mugger. Related: assail (attack), assault (an attack). Pronounced a-SAY-lent.