at·tack (ə-tăḱ)

---

[French attaquer, from Old French, from Old Italian* estaccare, of Germanic origin.]

verb: -tacked, -tack·ing, -tacks. 

transitive verb 

1. To set upon with violent force.
2. To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner.
3. To start work on with purpose and vigor: attack a problem.
4. To begin to affect harmfully: a disease that attacks the central nervous system.

intransitive verb 

To make an attack; launch an assault: The enemy attacked during the night.

noun 

1. The act or an instance of attacking; an assault.
2. An expression of strong criticism; hostile comment: vicious attacks in all the newspapers.
3. Sports
   1. An offensive action in a sport or game.
   2. The players executing such an action.
4. 1. The initial movement in a task or undertaking: made an optimistic attack on the pile of paperwork.
   2. A method or procedure: Our attack on this project will have two phases.
5. An episode or onset of a disease, especially an occurrence of a chronic disease: an asthma attack.
6. The experience or beginning of a feeling, need, or desire: an attack of hunger; an attack of melancholy.
7. 1. Music The beginning or manner of beginning a piece, passage, or tone.
   2. Decisiveness and clarity in artistic expression: a careful performance, but one lacking the rigorous attack the work demands.

derivatives

at·tacḱer

noun

synonyms:

attack, bombard, assail, storm, assault, beset These verbs mean to set upon, physically or figuratively. Attack applies to offensive action, especially to the onset of planned aggression: The commandos attacked the outpost at dawn. Bombard suggests showering with bombs or shells ( The warplanes bombarded the town ) or with words ( The celebrity was bombarded with invitations ). Assail implies repeated attacks: Critics assailed the author's second novel. Storm refers to a sudden, sweeping attempt to achieve a victory: “After triumphantly storming the country, is obliged to storm Capitol Hill” (The Economist) Assault usually implies sudden, intense violence: Muggers often assault their victims on dark streets. Beset suggests beleaguerment from all sides: The fox was beset by hunters and hounds.