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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
AFFRONT', v.t. [L. frons, front, face.]
AFFRONT', n.
To front] to
face in position; to meet or encounter face to face.
[Obs.]
All the sea-coasts do affront the Levant. That he, as 't were by accident, may here To face in defiance; to confront; as, to
affront death; hence, to meet in hostile encounter.
[Archaic] To offend by some manifestation of disrespect;
to insult to the face by demeanor or language; to treat with marked
incivility.
How can any one imagine that the fathers would have dared to
affront the wife of Aurelius? Syn. -- To insult; abuse; outrage; wound; illtreat; slight; defy; offend; provoke; pique; nettle. An encounter either friendly or
hostile.
[Obs.]
I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded Contemptuous or rude treatment which excites or
justifies resentment; marked disrespect; a purposed indignity;
insult.
Offering an affront to our understanding. An offense to one's self-respect; shame.
Arbuthnot.
Syn. -- Affront, Insult, Outrage. An affront is a designed mark of disrespect, usually in the presence of others. An insult is a personal attack either by words or actions, designed to humiliate or degrade. An outrage is an act of extreme and violent insult or abuse. An affront piques and mortifies; an insult irritates and provokes; an outrage wounds and injures. Captious persons construe every innocent freedom into an
affront. When people are in a state of animosity, they seek
opportunities of offering each other insults. Intoxication or
violent passion impels men to the commission of outrages. | ||||||||