Word
assailant
Phoneticsas·sailant
US/əˈseɪɫənt/
UK/ɐsˈeɪlənt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who physically attacks someone else. It is a formal word often used in news reports or by the police.
n. a person who physically attacks another. Often used in legal or journalistic contexts to refer to the perpetrator of a violent act.
Examples
“The victim managed to describe her assailant to the police.”
“Witnesses reported seeing the assailant flee the scene on foot immediately after the robbery took place.”
“The prosecution argued that the defendant was the primary assailant, citing forensic evidence that placed him at the scene during the struggle.”
Examples
simple
“The victim managed to describe her assailant to the police.”
contextual
“Witnesses reported seeing the assailant flee the scene on foot immediately after the robbery took place.”
complex
“The prosecution argued that the defendant was the primary assailant, citing forensic evidence that placed him at the scene during the struggle.”
Usage
Typically used in formal or legal contexts rather than casual conversation.
Real-World Examples
“Several people were injured when the armed assailant lunged at Acton.” “In one instance, a UN police officer named Gladys Nkeh , from Cameroon, helped a 13-year-old girl who was raped get medical care and helped authorities arrest her assailant.” Etymology
From Old French assaillant, from the verb assaillir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“to, towards”) + salīre (“to jump”). Equivalent to assail + -ant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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