Frontally

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner concerning the frontal aspect of an object or entity
2. In a way that involves or is directed toward the front portion of something
3. With reference to the forward-facing side or surface of an object or being

Etymology: "Frontally" is simply "frontal" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added. The adjective "frontal" comes from the Latin "frons," meaning forehead or front, which gave English words like "front" and "frontier" through French. The adjective meaning "of or at the front" is itself a later formation from that Latin base. The suffix is the more interesting part. The "-ly" ending descends from an ancient Germanic suffix meaning "having the form or appearance of," which was attached to nouns to make adjectives. In Old English it appeared as "-līce," and it was used to form adverbs as well as adjectives. Over time the spelling and sound wore down to the "-ly" we use today, and it became one of the most productive ways in English to turn an adjective into an adverb. Because of that, "frontally" needs no special history of its own: it describes an action carried out from the front, and English speakers can form such adverbs freely from any adjective that suits.

Synonyms: directly

Antonyms: indirectly