Forms: 4–6 assailyeour, -ȝeour, -your, 5 assailour, 6 assayler, 7– assailer. [a. OF. assailleor, -eur, n. of agent f. assaillir: see ASSAIL v. and -ER.] One who assails, an assailant.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, II. 541. Quhar the assailyeours [v.r. assailyours, -ȝeis] all Entryt and dystroyit the tour.
1475. Bk. Noblesse (1860), 5. They bring assailours uppon this lande.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 181. Palladius so pursued our assaylers.
1672. Jacomb, Comm. Rom. viii. (1868), 117. If the town … yields upon the first summons, it is a sign that the assailers are very strong.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., vi. 155. A besieging king or other potent assailer.
