Assail:
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French assaillir, from Vulgar Latin *assalire, alteration of Latin assilire to leap upon, from ad- + salire to leap — more at sally
Date: 13th century
to attack violently with blows or words
Essay:
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French essai, ultimately from Late Latin exagium act of weighing, from Latin ex- + agere to drive — more at agent
Date: 14th century
an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view
