Definition of frontier

The word "frontier" originally came from the Spanish word "frontera," which referred to the boundary or border between two territories. In English, the term "frontier" emerged during the 16th century to describe the boundary between two countries, specifically in reference to the Anglo-Scottish border. However, the meaning of "frontier" changed during the pioneer period of the 19th century in North America. At this time, settlers pushed westward into territories that were not yet officially organized as part of the United States. These regions were referred to as "frontiers" due to their undefined and uncertain nature. They represented a boundary between civilization and the wilderness, and settlers saw it as their duty and destiny to conquer and settle the land. Over time, the concept of the frontier evolved into a symbol of American identity and exceptionalism. It represented the idea that America was a nation of pioneers who were always pushing the boundaries of their knowledge and territory. Today, the term "frontier" is often used to refer to topics such as the boundaries of scientific knowledge, the technological frontier, and the edge of our understanding of space and time.