I. əˈkȯst, -äst also aˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French accoster, probably from Old Provençal acostar, from Late Latin accostare, from Latin ad- + costa rib, side — more at coast
intransitive verb
obsolete : to lie alongside
all the shores which to the sea accost — Edmund Spenser
transitive verb
1. : to approach and speak to
they were accosted by the immigration officials
: speak to without having first been spoken to
the host walked up and accosted the two silent guests
2. : to confront, usually in a somewhat challenging or defensive way
Mrs. Berry, wishing first to see herself as she was, mutely accosted the looking glass — George Meredith
3. : to address abruptly (as in a chance meeting) and usually with a certain degree of impetuosity or boldness
a beggar accosted me in the street
4. : to solicit (as a man) for sexual immorality
II. noun
( -s )
archaic : greeting
she shrunk with fastidious pride from their hail-fellow accost — Elizabeth C. Gaskell