Af‐front″, n. [Cf. F. affront, fr. affronter.] 1. An encounter either friendly or hostile.
I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded
On hostile ground, none daring my affront.
Milton.
2. Contemptuous or rude treatment which excites or justifies resentment; marked disrespect; a purposed indignity; insult.
Offering an affront to our understanding.
Addison.
3. 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.
Crabb.