accost
UK: əˈkɒst | US: əˈkɔːst
vt. to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively
vt. (archaic) to solicit or confront someone, often for illicit purposes
accost = ac<to> + cost<side>
- ac (prefix): Variant of "ad-" (Latin ad, meaning "to, toward"), assimilated before "c."
- cost (root): From Latin costa ("rib, side"), later extended to mean "flank" or "approach from the side."
Etymology Origin:
The word "accost" originated in the 16th century from French accoster, derived from Latin accostare ("to come alongside"). It originally described ships drawing up alongside each other, later evolving to mean approaching someone directly—often with confrontational intent. The root costa ("side") reflects the physical act of sidling up to someone, while the prefix ac- emphasizes directionality. Over time, the term acquired a more aggressive connotation, especially in contexts like solicitation or harassment.
The stranger accosted me with urgent questions about my wallet.
Reporters accosted the politician as he left the building.
In the novel, the detective was accosted by a shadowy figure in the alley.
She felt uncomfortable when a salesperson accosted her at the mall.
Historically, sailors would accost merchant ships to demand tribute.