affront
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1af·front

transitive verb \ə-ˈfrənt\

Definition of AFFRONT

1
a : to insult especially to the face by behavior or language
b : to cause offense to <a system of law about both family and marriage that affronted lay society — J. H. Mundy>
2
a : to face in defiance : confront <affront death>
b obsolete : to encounter face-to-face
3
: to appear directly before

Examples of AFFRONT

  1. <did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help>

Origin of AFFRONT

Middle English afronten, from Anglo-French afrunter to defy, from Vulgar Latin *affrontare, from Latin ad- + front-, frons forehead
First Known Use: 14th century

2affront

noun

Definition of AFFRONT

1
obsolete : a hostile encounter
2
: a deliberate offense : insult <an affront to his dignity>

Examples of AFFRONT

  1. He regarded her rude behavior as a personal affront.
  2. <took it as an affront that she wasn't asked to help cook Thanksgiving dinner>

First Known Use of AFFRONT

1533

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