Pronunciation: [ɐkˈɒstɪŋ] (IPA) 
Accosting is spelled with two Cs and two Ts. The first C is pronounced as a "k" sound, as indicated by the IPA phonetic transcription symbol /k/. The second C is pronounced as an "s" sound, as indicated by the IPA symbol /s/. The double T at the end of the word indicates a voiceless consonant sound, similar to a sharp intake of breath or a sudden stop. Accosting means to approach or speak to someone in an aggressive or unwanted way.
Accosting is a verb that refers to the act of approaching someone, typically in a bold or aggressive manner, with the intent of initiating a conversation or making a request. It is commonly associated with addressing someone in an intrusive or confrontational manner, often without prior invitation or permission.
When someone accosts another person, they may do so by intercepting them or interrupting their activities, such as walking up to them on the street or calling out to them. This action can occur in a wide range of contexts, from casual encounters to more formal situations. Accosting can involve engaging someone in conversation, seeking an opinion or assistance, or attempting to sell or promote something.
The manner in which someone accosts another individual can vary, but it often involves a direct and sometimes assertive approach. This may include using commanding or persuasive language, body language, or even physical proximity to gain attention or compel a response. However, it is important to note that accosting can also be seen as intrusive, disrespectful, or even threatening, depending on the specific circumstances and how it is perceived by the person being approached.
Overall, accosting refers to the act of directly and sometimes forcefully initiating contact with someone for various purposes, but it is essential to consider appropriate boundaries, respect personal space, and be mindful of the other person's consent and comfort level.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word accosting has its roots in the Old French term acoster, which meant to approach, to come alongside. This Old French term was drawn from the Latin word ad costa, which literally translates to at the side of. The Latin term costa referred to the side or rib, and eventually evolved into accostare in Late Latin, preserving its original meaning of to approach from the side. Over time, acoster in Old French transformed into accoster in Middle French, and in the 16th century, it entered the English language as accost. The verb form accosting emerged from this, retaining the original concept of approaching or confronting someone directly.
