assault

/əˈsɒlt/noun
Middle School
1

A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.

2

A violent verbal attack, for example with insults, criticism, and the like

3

An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching the person, such as by raising a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at the person and missing.

4

The crime whose action is such an attempt.

5

An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm (such as brandishing a weapon).

6

The tort whose action is such an act.

7

A non-competitive combat between two fencers.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing