[f. FRONT v.]
1. The action of the vb. FRONT in various senses.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxix. (1887), 211–2. In some desperate cases, fantsie is froward, and wil bide no fronting.
1659. Torriano, Facciata … any fronting or facing.
1796. Instr. ≈ Reg. Cavalry (1813), 183. The fronting every two hundred yards is prescribed to prevent the breaking or falling into file of the line.
1832. Prop. Regul. Instr. Cavalry, III. 86. The halting and fronting of each line may … be regulated.
1883–4. J. G. Butler, in Bible-Work, II. 65. This bold fronting of danger for the preaching of Christ.
1895. Daily News, 1 June, 5/6. It was … determined to achieve the new fronting without disturbing it [the Dutch cannon ball].
2. concr. A superficial coat or layer; a facing.
1886. Athenæum, 22 May, 686/3. The bath … reaching to the marble semicircular fronting of the western mosaic.
1891. Daily News, 26 Dec., 5/5. The … town has everywhere a thin fronting of sparkling white.
