attack

Pronunciation: /əˈtak/

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Definition of attack

verb

[with object]

1take aggressive military action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force:in February the Germans attacked Verdun [no object]:the terrorists did not attack again until March
act against (someone or something) aggressively in an attempt to injure or kill:a doctor was attacked by two youths
(of a disease, chemical, or insect) act harmfully on:HIV is thought to attack certain cells in the brain

2criticize or oppose fiercely and publicly:he attacked the government’s defence policy

3begin to deal with (a problem or task) in a determined and vigorous way:a plan of action to attack unemployment

4 [no object] (in sport) make a forceful attempt to score a goal or point or otherwise gain an advantage against an opposing team or player:Crystal Palace attacked swiftly down the left (as adjective attacking)Leeds showed some good attacking play
[with object] Chess move into or be in a position to capture (an opponent’s piece or pawn): the white queen attacks the black rook

noun

1an aggressive and violent act against a person or place:he was killed in an attack on a checkpoint three classrooms were gutted in the arson attack the north-western suburbs came under attack in the latest fighting
[mass noun] destructive action by a disease, chemical, or insect:the tissue is open to attack by fungus
a determined attempt to tackle a problem or task:an attack on inflation
[mass noun] forceful and decisive style in performing music or another art:the sheer attack of Hendrix’s playing

2an instance of fierce public criticism or opposition:he launched a stinging attack on the Prime Minister

3a sudden short bout of an illness or stress:an attack of nausea an asthma attack

4(in sport) an aggressive attempt to score a goal or point or otherwise gain an advantage: a Cardiff attack broke down inside Llanelli’s 22 [mass noun]:United hardly did a thing in attack
British the players in a team who are in the position of trying to score a goal or win points:Baxter was recalled to the attack
Chess a threat to capture an opponent’s piece or pawn: the move opens up an attack from the black bishop against White’s knight

Origin:

early 17th century: from French attaque (noun), attaquer (verb), from Italian attacco 'an attack', attaccare 'join battle', based on an element of Germanic origin (see attach)

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attack

verb

noun

Origin:

attack in other Oxford dictionaries

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