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

See Examples For:

assault and battery

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 family’s lawyer announced earlier this month that they are suing the city for $50 million in a wrongful death lawsuit claiming gross negligence, assault and battery, and more.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 24, 2022

Though the expression she generally favors me with, while it ain't so near assault and battery as it used to be, wouldn't take the place of two lumps in a cup of tea.

From Wilt Thou Torchy by Sewell Ford