front
front
(frŭnt) noun
1.
The forward part or surface, as of a building.
2.
The area, location, or position directly before or ahead.
3.
A position of leadership or superiority.
4.
The forehead or face, especially of a bird or other animal.
5.
a. Demeanor or bearing, especially in the presence of danger or difficulty. b. An outward, often feigned, appearance or manner: They put up a good front.
6. a. Land bordering a lake, river, or street. b. A promenade along the water at a resort.
7. A detachable part of a man's dress shirt covering the chest; a dickey.
8. a. The most forward line of a combat force. b. The area of contact between opposing combat forces; a battlefront.
9. Meteorology. The interface between air masses of different temperatures or densities.
10. A field of activity: the economic front.
11. a. A group or movement uniting various individuals or organizations for the achievement of a common purpose; a coalition. b. A nominal leader lacking in real authority; a figurehead. c. An apparently respectable person, group, or business used as a cover for secret or illegal activities.
12. Archaic. a. The first part; the beginning. b. The face; the countenance.
adjective
1.
Of, relating to, aimed at, or located in the front: the front lines; the front row; front property on Lake Tahoe.
2.
Linguistics. Designating vowels produced at or toward the front of the oral cavity, such as the vowels of green and get.
verb
fronted
, fronting, fronts
verb
, transitive
1.
To look out on; face: a house that fronts the ocean.
2.
To meet in opposition; confront. See synonyms at defy.
3.
To provide a front for.
4.
To serve as a front for.
5.
Music. To lead (a group of musicians): "Goodman . . . became the first major white bandleader to front an integrated group" (Bill Barol).
6.
Informal. To provide before payment: "In . . . personal liability suits, a lawyer is fronting both time and money" (Richard Faille).
verb
, intransitive
1.
To have a front; face onto something else: Her property fronts on the highway.
2.
To provide an apparently respectable cover for secret or illegal activities: fronting for organized crime.
interjection
Used by a desk clerk in a hotel to summon a bellhop.
idiom.
front and center
In the most prominent position.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin frōns, front-.]