to fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms; to assault.-to assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into disrepute, by criticism or satire; to censure; as, to attack a man, or his opinions, in a pamphlet.-to set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some object of labor or investigation.-to begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.-to make an onset or attack.-the act of attacking, or falling on with force or violence; an onset; an assault; -- opposed to defense.-an assault upon one's feelings or reputation with unfriendly or bitter words.-a setting to work upon some task, etc.-an access of disease; a fit of sickness.-the beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive action, by a chemical agent.