meaning - How is an "assault" different from "battery" in everyday English?


In legal parlance, the word "assault" historically means an attempted battery (battery being defined as below) or an intentional frightening of another person. No contact is necessary. On the other hand, battery is when the unwanted contact actually takes place.


Does everyday usage of these words tacitly acknowledge this difference?



Answer



In everyday usage, I'd say that assault is commonly used, and means 'to attack', which is slightly different to the legal meaning which is the threat of an attack (battery), combined with the a demonstration of the means to attack.


Battery is less commonly used outside the law, however, in the UK at least, the verb to batter is still commonly used:


In the playground:



Cough up or I'll batter you.



= Please give me your dinner money, or I'll be inclined to commit battery


In the pub:



Q: How did the game go?


A: I absolutely battered him!



= I won by quite a margin!


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