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A sudden attack; disturbance; broil. [R.] "These home alarms." Shak. Thy palace fill with insults and alarms. Pope.

An alarm from a real or threatened attack; a sudden attack; also, a bugle sound to give warning. "We have had an alert." Farrow. On the alert, on the lookout or watch against attack or danger; ready to act.

A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare laid for an enemy; an ambush.

A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare. Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege Or ambush from the deep. Milton.

Military stores, or provisions of all kinds for attack or defense. [Obs.]

ut in a state of frenzy, as the Malays sometimes do under the influence of "bhang," and attack every one that comes in the way; to assail recklessly and indiscriminately. Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run amuck, and tilt at all I meet. Pope.

A species of epileptic attack, originating from gastric disorder.

A fishhook; tackle for catching fish, consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a rod. Give me mine angle: we 'll to the river there. Shak. A fisher next his trembling angle bears. Pope. Acute angle, one less than a right angle, or less than 90º. -- Adjacent or Contiguous angles, such as have one leg commo…

ne of several fungus diseases, caused by parasitic species of the series Melanconiales, attacking the bean, grape, melon, cotton, and other plants. In the case of the grape, brown concave spots are formed on the stem and fruit, and the disease is called bird's-eye rot.

A tap or stamp of the foot as a warning of intent to attack; -- called also attack.

r written; to inform; -- followed by of; as, we will apprise the general of an intended attack; he apprised the commander of what he had done.

A support for the spear when couched for the attack. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A genus of venomous ticks which attack men and animals. The famous Persian Argas, also called Miana bug, is A. Persicus; that of Central America, called talaje by the natives, is A. Talaje.

To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms. " 'Tis time to arm." Shak.

y plates. The armadillos burrow in the earth, seldom going abroad except at night. When attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting the armor on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as Texas. See Peba, Poyou, Tatouay.

To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. No rude noise mine ears assailing. Cowper. No storm can now assail The charm he wears within. Keble.

Assailing; attacking. Milton.

The act or power of assailing; attack; assault. [R.] His most frequent assailment was the headache. Johnson.

A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town. The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault. Prescott. Unshaken bears the assault Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwe…

One who assaults, or violently attacks; an assailant. E. Hall.