What does it mean to attack someone with violent blows?

The chosen answer highlights the concept of "assailing," which means to attack someone physically or verbally with forceful blows. This term emphasizes a deliberate and aggressive action aimed at inflicting harm. In contexts where an individual is expressing physical or verbal aggression, assailing captures the intensity of the attack.

The other options have different connotations. "Assault" refers more generally to the act of causing severe harm or threatening to do so, often recognized in legal contexts as a criminal offense. "Accost" involves confronting someone audaciously but does not necessarily imply physical violence; it refers to addressing them boldly or aggressively. Thus, while words may seem similar, "assail" specifically conveys the action of attacking with violent blows, which is why it is the most accurate choice.