Word of the day: ASSAIL

Pronunciation: as·sail UK /əˈseɪl/ US /əˈseɪl/

Meaning:

'Assail' means to attack someone or something violently, either through physical force or intense words, emotions, or arguments.

Origin & History:

The word "assail" originates from the Old French word asaillir, which comes from the Latin assilire, meaning "to leap upon". This Latin term is a combination of ad ("to") and salire ("to leap"). The root word salire is also the origin of words like assault and salient, which relate to jumping or leaping.

Its root, salīre, means “to leap”, which beautifully captures the sudden, forceful nature of the action, like an attack that springs at you.

Cultural significance and modern usage:

Assail comes, by way of Anglo-French, from the Latin verb assilire to lea

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