Which term describes the illegal act of physically striking another person?

The term that describes the illegal act of physically striking another person is battery. Battery refers specifically to the intentional and unlawful use of force against another person that results in harmful or offensive contact. This can include a wide range of actions, from hitting or pushing someone to unwanted touching. The key element of battery is that it involves actual physical contact, which distinguishes it from related legal concepts.

For clarity, assault is often confused with battery but is distinct in that it refers to the act of creating a reasonable apprehension of imminent harm or offensive contact in another person, rather than the physical act of striking. Defamation involves making false statements that damage a person's reputation, while malpractice refers to negligence or misconduct by a professional, typically in the context of healthcare or legal services. Each of these concepts has its own specific legal implications, but battery is clearly defined as the act of physically striking someone.