Confrontal

/kənˈfrʌntəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characterized by confrontation; facing each other directly; pertaining to a confrontation.

Etymology

From English 'confront' plus the suffix '-al.' The word 'confront' itself comes from French 'confronter,' from Medieval Latin 'confrontare,' combining 'com-' and 'frontis' (forehead/front).

Kelly Says

The root 'front' in 'confrontal' literally refers to foreheads meeting—when you confront someone, you're supposed to be face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball, which is why yelling at someone on the phone was once considered cowardly.

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