An open insult or act of disrespect that deliberately offends someone's dignity or pride.
From Old French 'afronter' (a- 'to' + front 'face'). Literally meaning 'to face boldly,' it evolved to mean a confrontational insult delivered right to someone's face.
In medieval and Renaissance culture, an affront was so serious that it could lead to duels—a word or gesture considered disrespectful to your honor was worth fighting over, which is why Shakespeare's plays are full of characters taking offense at perceived slights.
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