Assault - an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. An assault is carried out by a threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in either criminal or civil liability.
Source: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/assault
Source: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/assault
