Tuesday, March 17, 2015

affront, a front

Affront or affront ( one word ) means a display of disrespect; an insult--
Their foul-mouthed arguments were an affront to everyone in the neighborhood.
It's an affront to good taste, and it should be removed.
Affront may also mean to offend through disrespect or insolence--
Remove your hat, unless you mean to affront the king!

A front or a front ( two words ) means the facing side, or the foremost part, of something--
She always leaves a lamp in a front window; I don't know why.
We are looking for a house with a front porch.

A front may also mean something that serves as a show, a display or disguise--
They were all miserable, but they put on a front of good cheer.
This business may serve as a front for an illegal betting parlor.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Shouting out a front window is an affront to peace and quiet!"

Note--affronté is a term used in heraldry, meaning facing out, toward the viewer--
There is a red stag affronté on his family crest.

Note # 2--"effrontery" means impudence; shameless boldness--
Young man, I ought to suspend you for your effrontery.

No comments:

Post a Comment