What constitutes an assault according to the provided definition?

The correct answer defines assault as a willful attempt to inflict injury that is accompanied by the actual ability to carry out that intent. This definition emphasizes two critical components: the intention to cause harm and the capability to follow through with that harm. Essentially, it's not enough to simply express a desire to hurt someone; the individual must also have the means to cause that injury. This understanding differentiates between mere thoughts or threats and a true physical threat, which is central to the legal concept of assault.

In contrast, the other options do not fully capture the essence of assault as defined in many legal contexts. A non-violent threat does not meet the criteria since it lacks the intent to cause actual harm. Similarly, a verbal warning of harm and written threats imply an intention to cause fear or distress but do not necessarily reflect the capability to inflict physical injury. Without the potential action of harming someone, these statements cannot constitute assault under this definition.