assailant
Translation
attacker, aggressor
Examples
The victim could not identify her assailant.
The victim could not identify her assailant.
Grammar Patterns
((noun)) a person who physically attacks another. The victim could not identify her assailant.
Similar Words
Synonyms: attacker, aggressor; Antonyms: victim, defender
Etymology
From French 'assaillir' (to attack), from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'salire' (to leap). It means 'one who leaps upon' another.
Memory Tips
Connect it to the related word 'assault'. An assailant is someone who commits an assault.