Frontier

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Frontier

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and adjective

Pronunciation

FRUN-teer  /ˈfrʌntɪə/

Definition

As a noun: a line or border separating two countries; the extreme limit of settled land beyond which the territory is wild or unexplored; the furthest limits of knowledge in a particular subject. As an adjective: relating to a frontier or the frontier period.

Plain meaning

A frontier is the border between countries, or the edge of the known and settled — the line beyond which lies the unexplored. Also used for the cutting edge of knowledge.

Register

Neutral in geographical and political contexts. Charged and culturally specific in the American historical context. Energetic and forward-looking in the metaphorical scientific and technological sense.