Standard Lemma guide

assailable

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /əˈseɪləbl̩/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Able to be assailed or attacked.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1791, Hannah Brand, Huniades, or, The siege of Belgrave, Act IV, Scene 3, in Plays and Poems, Norwich, 1798, p. 82, Plant the ordnance ’gainst the postern, / North of the Eastern tower; for there I deem / The wall is most assailable.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: exposed, vulnerable, pregnable, susceptible

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

not defended or capable of being defended

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an open city
  • open to attack

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: undefendable, undefended, open

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English assail Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dhlom Proto-Indo-European *-dhlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English assailable From assail + -able.