How is 'assault' legally defined?

The legal definition of 'assault' typically refers to putting someone in reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm. This definition focuses on the mental state of the victim rather than physical injury. In legal terms, assault does not require actual physical contact; instead, it is concerned with the perception and response of the victim to the assailant's actions.

When a person is placed in reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm, it indicates that the aggressor's conduct or gestures create a credible threat that causes fear. This reflects the legal understanding that assault can be completed through actions or behaviors that elicit fear, rather than through physical injury, emphasizing the psychological impact on the victim.

The other options revolve around physical harm or intimidation without highlighting the specific legal element of fear of imminent harm, which is key to the definition of assault. For example, causing physical injury pertains more to battery, while making threatening gestures or attempting to intimidate may not result in the reasonable fear component required for the legal definition of assault.