Sortie: alternatives and connections

The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; unprovoked attack; ass…

Watchful; vigilant; active in vigilance.

A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situatio…

To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer.

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…

A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset;…

To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bol…

Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.

A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in battle array.

A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense.

To lay on or impose, as a load, tax, or burden; to load; to fill.

The act of surrounding with a wall or rampart.

A trench guarded with a parapet, constructed by besiegers, to secure themselves and check sallies of the besieged.

To open out; to unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in such a way that they shall display a wider front and less depth; -- the re…

The act of turning aside from any course, occupation, or object; as, the diversion of a stream from its channel; diversion of the mind…

A furious attack made by troops on a fortified place, in which ladders are used to pass a ditch or mount a rampart.

imp. & p. p. of Fight.

The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.