assailant
Translation
attacker, assailant
Examples
The victim could not identify the assailant.
The victim could not identify the assailant.
Police are searching for the unknown assailant.
Police are searching for the unknown assailant.
Grammar Patterns
((an/the)) assailant (as a countable noun) an attacker The victim identified the assailant.
Similar Words
Synonyms: attacker, aggressor, mugger
Etymology
From the verb 'assail', from Old French 'assaillir', from Latin 'ad' (to) + 'salire' (to leap). So, 'one who leaps upon' someone.
Memory Tips
Think of someone who 'sails' in to attack you. The 'assailant' attacks.