Definition of assault and battery in English English dictionary
The combination of two violent crimes: assault (the threat of violence) and battery (physical violence). This legal distinction exists only in jurisdictions that distinguish assault as threatened violence rather than actual violence
Assault and battery is the crime of attacking someone and causing them physical harm. An assault upon a victim that is carried out by striking the victim, knocking the victim down, or otherwise doing violence to the victim. the crime of threatening to attack someone physically and then attacking them. Related but distinct crimes. Battery is the unlawful application of physical force to another; assault is an attempt to commit battery or an act that may reasonably cause fear of imminent battery. With manslaughter and murder (see homicide), these concepts are articulated to protect against rude and undesired physical contact or the threat of it. Battery requires no minimum degree of force, nor does it need to be applied directly; administering poison and transmitting a disease may both be battery. Accidents and ordinary negligence are not, nor is reasonable force used in the performance of duty (e.g., by a police officer). See also rape