1an aggressive and violent act against a person or place:he was killed in an attack on a checkpointthree classrooms were gutted in the arson attackthe north-western suburbs came under attack in the latest fighting
[mass noun] destructive action by a disease, chemical, or insect:the tissue is open to attack by fungus
a determined attempt to tackle a problem or task:an attack on inflation
[mass noun] forceful and decisive style in performing music or another art:the sheer attack of Hendrix’s playing
2an instance of fierce public criticism or opposition:he launched a stinging attack on the Prime Minister
3a sudden short bout of an illness or stress:an attack of nauseaan asthma attack
4(in sport) an aggressive attempt to score a goal or point or otherwise gain an advantage:a Cardiff attack broke down inside Llanelli’s 22 [mass noun]:United hardly did a thing in attack
British the players in a team who are in the position of trying to score a goal or win points:Baxter was recalled to the attack
Chess a threat to capture an opponent’s piece or pawn:the move opens up an attack from the black bishop against White’s knight
ზმნა
Universal
1take aggressive military action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force:in February the Germans attacked Verdun [no object]:the terrorists did not attack again until March
act against (someone or something) aggressively in an attempt to injure or kill:a doctor was attacked by two youths
(of a disease, chemical, or insect) act harmfully on:HIV is thought to attack certain cells in the brain
2criticize or oppose fiercely and publicly:he attacked the government’s defence policy
3begin to deal with (a problem or task) in a determined and vigorous way:a plan of action to attack unemployment
4 [no object] (in sport) make a forceful attempt to score a goal or point or otherwise gain an advantage against an opposing team or player:Crystal Palace attacked swiftly down the left (as adjective attacking)Leeds showed some good attacking play
[with object] Chess move into or be in a position to capture (an opponent’s piece or pawn):the white queen attacks the black rook
