Accosted: meaning, definitions and examples

The word 'accost' originates from the Middle French word 'acoster,' which meant 'to come alongside' or 'to approach.' This term was derived from the Old French 'acoster,' which could be traced back to the Latin 'custodia,' meaning 'to guard' or 'to watch over.' The transition from the original meaning to its current usage likely involved contexts where one would come alongside another person for the purpose of engaging them, whether positively or negatively. It began to take on a more aggressive connotation in the English language by the late 16th century. The word has often appeared in legal contexts, emphasizing interactions that may involve confrontation, which have historical significance in law enforcement and personal encounters. 'Accosted' as the past participle form has become particularly common in descriptions of possible criminal activity or threatening interactions in modern usage.

Positioned at #22,495, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 22495 accosted
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• 22498 exhilaration
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