From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishassailas‧sail /əˈseɪl/ verb [transitive] formal 1 EFFECT/INFLUENCEif you are assailed by unpleasant thoughts or feelings, they worry or upset you Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.Grammar Assail is usually passive in this meaning.2 if a strong smell or loud sound assails you, you suddenly experience it The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.3 ATTACKto attack someone or something violently4 to criticize someone or something severely The press assailed the proposals.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
assail• They came in four pairs from the only four directions from which the farm could be assailed.• The moment he'd entered Rose Bower the smell of fresh paint had assailed his nostrils.• Many were convinced of Thornton's guilt and he was assailed in local and London newspapers.• As the train rattled on, however, doubts began to assail me.• We approached the east landing cautiously and the cliffs awoke with bird clamour which was to assail our ears until we left.• Walk through the doors at the Slab and the just-out-of-the-oven aroma of fresh-baked cones assails the senses.• He should assail the stronger with weapons, fire, and the administration of poisons.Origin assail (1200-1300) Old French asaillir, from Latin assilire, from ad- “to” + salire “to jump” 