What is the meaning of assail?

verb

• Attack someone physically or emotionally.
  • usage: "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
  • synonyms: assault, set on, attack
• Launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with.
  • usage: "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
  • synonyms: attack
• Attack in speech or writing.
  • usage: "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
  • synonyms: attack, round, lash out, snipe, assault