noun

assault

Translation

assault, attack

He was charged with assault.

The army launched an assault on the city.

It was an assault on our senses.

((on sb./sth.)) an attack on (sb./sth.) It was an assault on our freedom.

charged with assault accused of the crime of attacking someone He was charged with assault.

Synonyms: attack, aggression, offensive

From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'saltus' (a leap). Literally 'to leap upon'.

Imagine someone 'leaping' at you to attack. 'As-salt' sounds like adding salt to a wound, making it worse.