Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery.

2. (v. t.) To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.

3. (v. t.) To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like.