1. [n]  a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
2. [n]  the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
3. [n]  close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
4. [n]  thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946
5. [v]  attack verbally, in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
6. [v]  attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"

ASSAULT is a 7 letter word that starts with A.

1. \As*sault"\, n. [OE. asaut, assaut, OF. assaut, asalt,
   F. assaut, LL. assaltus; L. ad + saltus a leaping, a
   springing, salire to leap. See {Assail}.]
   1. A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows,
      weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an
      attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a
      house, or a town.
            The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.
                                                  --Prescott.
            Unshaken bears the assault Of their most dreaded
            foe, the strong southwest.            --Wordsworth.
   2. A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words,
      arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault
      on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of
      a government. --Clarendon.
   3. (Law) An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with
      force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or
      offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of
      violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting
      the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by
      striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes
      effect, it is a battery. --Blackstone. Wharton.
            Practically, however, the word assault is used to
            include the battery.                  --Mozley & W.
   Syn: Attack; invasion; incursion; descent; onset; onslaught;
        charge; storm.
   

2. \As*sault"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assaulted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Assaulting}.] [From {Assault}, n.: cf. OF. assaulter,
   LL. assaltare.]
   1. To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men;
      to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or
      menaces.
            Insnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound. --Milton.
   2. To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing
      moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or
      unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a
      reputation or an administration.
            Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . .
            Assault his ears.                     --Dryden.
   Note: In the latter sense, assail is more common.
   Syn: To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See
        {Attack}.