affront

Etymology

From Middle English afrounten, from Old French afronter (“to defy”), from Vulgar Latin *affrontare (“to hit in the face”), from Latin ad (“to”) + frōns (“forehead”) (English front).

verb

1. To insult intentionally, especially openly.
   But beſides, that ſuch a though was inconſiſtent with the gravity of a Senate, how can one imagine that the Fathers would have dared affront the Wife of Aurelius, and the Mother of Commodus, or that they could think of giving offence to an Empreſs whom they afterwards Defied, and to an Emperor that was the darling of the army and people? 1701–03, Joseph Addison, “The Isle of Caprea”, in Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c., published 1721, page 92
2. To meet defiantly; to confront.
   to affront death
   Avignon was beginning to settle down for the night – that long painful stretch of time which must somehow be affronted. 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia (Avignon Quintet), Faber & Faber, published 1992, page 436
3. (obsolete) To meet or encounter face to face.
   Many Iſlands there lie all over that ſea : but one above the reſt, and moſt renowned, is Tazata : for thither all the ſhipping from out of the Caſpian ſea and the Scythian Ocean, doe bend their courſe and there arrive : for that all the ſea coaſts doe affront the Levant, and turne into the Eaſt. 1601, Pliny the Elder, translated by Philemon Holland, The History of the World, volume I, translation of Naturalis Historia (in Classical Latin), published 1634, book VI, page 124

noun

1. An open or intentional offense, slight, or insult.
   Such behavior is an affront to society.
   This day, thou ſhalt haue ingots : and, to morrow, / Giue lords th’ affront. 1610, Ben Jonson, “The Alchemist”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson, London: Will Stansby, published 1616, act II, scene ii, page 620
2. (obsolete) A hostile encounter or meeting.