Fron"tal (?), a. [Cf. F.
frontal.] Belonging to the front part; being in
front; esp. (Anat.), Of or pertaining to the
forehead or the anterior part of the roof of the brain case; as, the
frontal bones.
Fron"tal, n. [F. frontal,
fronteau, OF. Frontel, frontal, L.
frontale an ornament for the forehead, frontlet. See
Front.] 1. Something worn on the forehead
or face; a frontlet; as: (a) An ornamental
band for the hair. (b) (Mil.) The
metal face guard of a soldier.
2. (Arch.) A little pediment over a
door or window.
3. (Eccl.) A movable, decorative
member in metal, carved wood, or, commonly, in rich stuff or in
embroidery, covering the front of the altar. Frontals are usually
changed according to the different ceremonies.
4. (Med.) A medicament or application
for the forehead. [Obs.] Quincy.
5. (Anat.) The frontal bone, or one of
the two frontal bones, of the cranium.
Frontal hammer or helve, a
forge hammer lifted by a cam, acting upon a "tongue" immediately in
front of the hammer head. Raymond.
