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Where does the word "confront" come from? It comes from Latin frons, passing through French before entering English (1560s).
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Where does the word "confront" come from? It comes from Latin frons, passing through French before entering English (1560s).
Confront’s story begins in Latin: frons meant “forehead, front.” 'com-' plus 'frons': face to face. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as confronter. Came via Medieval Latin 'confrontare'. It reached English by 1560s as confront. 'confrontation' followed. Today, confront means to face up to.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient frons "forehead, front", 'com-' plus 'frons': face to face.
- Stage 2 · French · 1500s confronter "to confront", came via Medieval Latin 'confrontare'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1560s confront "to face", 'confrontation' followed.