Posted by Sean Merritt on June 15, 2001 at 14:25:11:
In Reply to: Ya and they were Abducted by aliens too... posted by JohnB on June 15, 2001 at 11:46:33:
JB, I don't know what drove you to insult, as no offense was intended. But I took your advice and checked with Webster's New 20th Century Unabridged Dictionary, 2d Ed. It is accepted by State and Federal Courts as authoritative.
To quote:
attack, noun, the beginning of any action or undertaking; the start. (e.g., a country can launch missiles against another country and even if they do not reach their targets, it constitutes an attack)
attack, verb intransitive, to make an assault.
attack, verb transitive, to start a fight or quarrel with; to take the offensive against; to assault.
And any attorney will tell you that assault does not require battery. Assault includes an unsuccessful threat to harm.
So, I guess the word attack can be used either way.
Have a nice day.