attack: Meaning and Definition of

at•tack

1. to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with: He attacked him with his bare hands.
2. to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against: to attack the enemy.
3. to blame or abuse violently or bitterly.
4. to direct unfavorable criticism against; criticize severely; argue with strongly: He attacked his opponent's statement.
5. to try to destroy, esp. with verbal abuse: to attack the mayor's reputation.
6. to set about (a task) or go to work on (a thing) vigorously: to attack housecleaning; to attack the hamburger hungrily.
7. (of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect.

1. to make an attack; begin hostilities.

1. the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.
2. a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position.
3. seizure by disease or illness: an attack of indigestion.
4. the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
5. an aggressive move in a performance or contest.
6. the approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase.