Which term describes placing a person in fear of bodily harm?

The correct term that describes placing a person in fear of bodily harm is "assault." In legal terms, assault refers to an intentional act that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. It is important to note that actual physical contact is not required for an act to be considered assault; the key factor is the victim's perception and fear of harm.

For instance, if someone raises a fist in a threatening manner, even if they do not actually strike a person, they can still be charged with assault because the victim reasonably fears that they may be harmed. This concept is rooted in the principle that the mental state and perception of the victim play critical roles in defining the offense.

Other options like battery refer to the actual physical act of harming someone, negligence involves a failure to take reasonable care resulting in damage or injury, and false imprisonment pertains to unlawfully restraining someone against their will. While these terms are important in the context of personal injury and tort law, they do not accurately describe the act of instilling fear of harm in someone, which is specifically defined by the term "assault."