Insults or disrespects someone openly; or multiple acts of insulting or disrespecting.
From Old French 'afronter,' from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'fronte' (forehead). The word evolved from meaning 'to shame' to specifically mean 'to insult openly or boldly.'
An 'affront' is worse than just an insult because it's *public*—it's done 'in your face.' That's why kings and nobles were so angry about affronts; they happened in front of witnesses and witnesses to your shame!
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