assault and battery

American  

noun

Law.

1. an assault with an actual touching or other violence upon another. a&b

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assault and battery British  

noun

1. criminal law a threat of attack to another person followed by actual attack, which need amount only to touching with hostile intent

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Etymology

Origin of assault and battery

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

But I bear no malice, you old bag-of-bones: And where’s the satisfaction in committing Assault and battery on a blasted scarecrow?

From Krindlesyke by Gibson, Wilfrid Wilson