attack (v.) Copy link Outline I. To act against with physical force1. adŏrĭor, ortus, 4 (usu. of an unexpected attack)2. aggrĕdĭor, gressus, 3 (the most general word) who would dare to a. a man well attended? quis audeat bene comitatum a.? Cic.3. impugno, 1 (of an attack of troops)4. oppugno, 1 (esp. of regularly attacking cities)5. invādo, vāsi, vāsum, 3 (v. TO FALL ON, UPON)6. pĕto, īvi, or ĭi, ītum, 3 (with bello or armis, esp. poet.)7. rĕpĕto, 3 (to a. again or repeatedly8. tento, 1 (i. e. to make an attempt upon)9. incesso, cessīvi or cessi, 3 (esp. of repeated, harassing attacks)II. To assail with words1. ădŏrior, 4 (with some defining word)2. invĕhor, vectus, 3 (with prep. in and acc.)3. oppugno, 1 (Fig.4. impugno, 1 (Fig.5. incesso, 3 (with abl. of means of attack)6. pĕto, 3 (also with abl. of means of attack)7. prōsĕquor, sĕcūtus, 3 (denoting an attack which is followed up or continued)III. To seize (esp. of disease)1. corrĭpĭo, rĭpŭi, reptum, 3 (suddenly)2. invādo, 33. tento, 14. attento (rare)5. (To attack again) • attack (v.): I. To act against with physical force: 1. adŏrĭor, ortus, 4 (usu. of an unexpected attack): he a.'d Milo from behind, a tergo Milonem adortus est, Cic.: to a. a city, urbem a., Liv. 2. aggrĕdĭor, gressus, 3 (the most general word) who would dare to a. a man well attended? quis audeat bene comitatum a.? Cic.: the horse-soldiers a. the enemy, equites hostes a., Caes. 3. impugno, 1 (of an attack of troops): to a. the enemies' rear, terga hostium i., Liv.: to a. with spirit, acriter i., Caes. 4. oppugno, 1 (esp. of regularly attacking cities): changing one's plans from a.ing a city to blockading it, consiliis ab oppugnanda urbe ad obsidendam versis, Liv.: Caes.: v. TO LAY SIEGE TO, assault. 5. invādo, vāsi, vāsum, 3 (v. to fall on, upon): to a. any one with a sword, cum ferro in aliquem i., Cic.: to a. a camp, castra i., Liv. 6. pĕto, īvi, or ĭi, ītum, 3 (with bello or armis, esp. poet.): to a. a city, bello urbem p., Virg.: v. to aim at. 7. rĕpĕto, 3 (to a. again or repeatedly: with some explanatory word: cf. preceding): to a. Nola again with arms, Nolam armis r., Liv.: v. to strike again. 8. tento, 1 (i. e. to make an attempt upon): to a. Achaia, Achaiam t., Caes. 9. incesso, cessīvi or cessi, 3 (esp. of repeated, harassing attacks): they a.'d the stragglers with stones, vagos lapidibus incessebant, Liv.--Obs. Of course any of the above may be used fig., as to a. any one with money, pecunia aliquem oppugnare, Cic.: to be a.'d by poison, veneficiis impugnari, Suet.: cf. infr. (II.). Phr.: to a. the enemy, impetum in hostes facere, Caes. (of a charge or onset): v. attack. (subs.) v. to assail, assault, FALL UPON. II. To assail with words: 1. ădŏrior, 4 (with some defining word): to a. any one with railing, aliquem jurgio a., Ter.: they a. Seneca with various accusations, variis criminationibus Senecam adoriuntur, Tac. 2. invĕhor, vectus, 3 (with prep. in and acc.): openly to a. any one in the senate, in senatu aperte in aliquem invehi, Cic.: Liv. 3. oppugno, 1 (Fig.: comp. I. 4): to a. an opinion, sententiam o., Cic.: to a. with words, verbis o., Cic. 4. impugno, 1 (Fig.: comp. I. 3): to a. an opinion, sententiam i., Tac.: Sall. 5. incesso, 3 (with abl. of means of attack): to a. kings with froward words, reges dictis protervis i., Ov.: to a. any one with accusations, aliquem criminibus i., Tac. 6. pĕto, 3 (also with abl. of means of attack): to a. any one in a letter, aliquem epistola p., Cic.: to a. any one with false accusations, aliquem falsis criminibus p., Tac. 7. prōsĕquor, sĕcūtus, 3 (denoting an attack which is followed up or continued): to a. any one with insulting expressions, aliquem contumeliosis vocibus p., Caes.: he a.s the man with too violent language, hominem verbis vehementioribus prosequitur, Cic.: v. to assail. III. To seize (esp. of disease): 1. corrĭpĭo, rĭpŭi, reptum, 3 (suddenly): he was twice a.'d by the disease while transacting business, morbo bis inter res agendas correptus est, Suet. 2. invādo, 3: the pain a.s the eyes, dolor in oculos i., Lucr.: he says that no greater plague has a.'d the life of man, negat ullam pestem majorem in vitam hominum invasisse, Cic. 3. tento, 1: strong minds cannot be a.'d by disease, animi valentes morbo tentari non possunt, Cic.: Hor.: wines a. the head, vina tentant caput, Plin. 4. attento (rare): Apul. 5. (To attack again): rĕpĕto: v. to return.