What is the term for an unlawful attack or touching of another person?

Battery refers specifically to the unlawful and intentional use of force against another person, which includes any harmful or offensive touching. This can encompass a range of actions, from hitting someone to more minor forms of touching that are unwanted and inappropriate. In the context of legal terminology, battery requires that the action be intentional and without consent from the other person.

Assault, while often confused with battery, typically denotes the act of creating an apprehension or fear of imminent harmful or offensive contact, rather than the actual contact itself. Defamation pertains to damaging someone's reputation through false statements, and harassment involves unwanted and repeated behavior that intimidates or disturbs another individual. Understanding these definitions clarifies why battery is the appropriate term for an unlawful attack or touching of another person.