In heraldry, describing an animal or figure facing directly toward the viewer rather than in profile.
From French 'affront' meaning 'facing' or 'front', derived from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'fronte' (forehead/front). The heraldic meaning developed in medieval European tradition where precise positioning had symbolic importance.
Heraldry has incredibly specific vocabulary because medieval nobles needed exact descriptions of shields and coats of arms that could be recognized from across a battlefield—'affronte' tells you instantly which direction the creature faces!
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