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

The man Kesha sued over a decade ago for sexual assault and battery co-wrote and co-produced ten out of the eleven tracks on Perry’s last album, "143."

From Salon • May 16, 2025

Attention will now turn to a civil lawsuit filed by Mr Neely's father, who is seeking damages for alleged civil assault and battery.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2024

The case in Dedham, Massachusetts, before Judge Paul McCallum was the first to be filed, with prosecutors in July 2021 charging McCarrick with three counts of indecent assault and battery.

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2023

The suit, which alleges among other things civil rights violations, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2023

He had visions, at first, of a successful action for assault and battery; but, as his rage moderated, he saw certain difficulties in the way.

From The House 'Round the Corner by Tracy, Louis