Maul I like verbs like this because it may be difficult even to find an exact equivalent in another language, although the class it belongs to will exist most certainly. Even in English Verb Classes and Alternations by Beth Levin “maul” is not listed. I would class it with her Change of State verbs in the “break” subcategory along with smash and crush. Most often maul is used of the actions of wild animals like bears and lions and, by analogy or metaphor, kind of, to sports teams.
Pat’s Polemics
On-going brilliance
