an attack

an attack of (some illness)

A sudden or acute onset of (an illness). I went to bed early last night after an attack of indigestion.See also: attack, of

*an attack

(of an illness) a bout of some sickness; an instance or acute case of some disease. (*Typically: have ~; produce ~; suffer ~.) Mr. Hodder had an attack of stomach upset that forced him to stay at home.See also: attack