In legal terminology, what action constitutes battery?

Battery is defined in legal terms as the unlawful and intentional physical contact with another person without their consent. This non-consensual contact can involve any kind of physical interaction that results in harm, injury, or offense to the victim. The critical aspect that distinguishes battery from other forms of misconduct is the requirement for actual contact; mere threats or the intention to harm without physical interaction do not meet the legal definition of battery.

Therefore, actions such as simply threatening to hit someone or engaging in verbal intimidation do not qualify as battery since they lack the element of physical contact. Similarly, a physical fight may involve battery if it includes non-consensual contact, but the term itself encompasses a broader range of actions beyond just fighting. In contrast, non-consensual contact directly addresses the essential components of battery, making it the correct answer in this context.