v.tr. 1 a face in hostility or defiance. b face up to and deal with (a problem, difficulty, etc.). 2 (of a difficulty etc.) present itself to (countless obstacles confronted us). 3 (foll. by with) a bring (a person) face to face with (a circumstance), esp. by way of accusation (confronted them with the evidence). b set (a thing) face to face with (another) for comparison. 4 meet or stand facing. confrontation n. confrontational adj.
[ F confronter f. med.L confrontare (as com-, frontare f. frons frontis face) ]