'affrontiveness' originates from the Latin word 'affrontare,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'frontem' meant 'forehead or face.'

'affrontare' transformed into the Old French word 'afronter,' and eventually became the modern English word 'affront' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to strike against or confront,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to insult or offend.'