An assault is an attempt or offer with force or violence to do an injury or hurt to the person of another, whether wantonly or with a malicious intention, under such circumstances as denote an intention to commit the offense, coupled with the present ability to carry that intention into execution.1

An assault is an attempt or offer to beat another without touching him.2

If one lifts up his cane, or his fist, in a threatening manner at another; or strikes at him, but misses him, this is an assault.3

An assault involves the idea of an inchoate violence to the person of another with the present means to carry the intent into effect.4

This offense may be committed in many ways, as by striking at a person either with or without a weapon intending to injure him, but missing him; or by presenting at one a gun at such distance to which the gun will carry, or by pointing a pitchfork at another who is standing within reach of it, or by holding up one's fist at him, or by any other such like act done in an angry, threatening manner.