ASTONISH • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Astonish

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/əstˈɑnɪʃ/ Listen

verb

Astonish v. t. (past & past part. astonished; pres. part. astonishing)

To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. (Obs.) "Enough, captain; you have astonished him. (Fluellen had struck Pistol)." "The very cramp-fish (i. e., torpedo)... being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others."

To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion. "Musidorus... had his wits astonished with sorrow." "I, Daniel... was astonished at the vision."

Synonyms: To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise. Astonished, Surprised. We are surprised at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. See Amaze.

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Etymology of 'Astonish'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Astonish" Quotes from Famous Books

... 'You astonish me,' I answered; 'what about the Convention recently signed at Pretoria (1881)? What about the speeches still more recently made in this country in ...

— Native Races and the War • Josephine Elizabeth Butler

... basket, and his back almost resting against the head of his bearer, who, bending forward under the weight of his load, and grasping a long stick, looks like some decrepit old man—a delusion which vanishes the instant you commence the ascent of a mountain by his side, when his endurance and vigour astonish you, if they do not ...

— A Journey to Katmandu • Laurence Oliphant

... "It seems to astonish you," said Ravanel, "but it is true. Make peace for yourself, lay down what conditions suit you, sell yourself for whatever you will bring; my only reply is, You are a coward and a traitor. But as to the troops, they will not lay down arms except on ...

— Massacres Of The South (1551-1815) - Celebrated Crimes • Alexandre Dumas, Pere

... of the Pit, already quoted, helps us to explain Chicago's vanity. "The fortunes made and lost within the walls of the great building," says he proudly, "astonish the world." If Chicago can only astonish the world, that is enough. Its citizens fondly hope that everything they do is on the largest scale. Size, speed, and prominence are the three gods of their idolatry. They are not content until they—the citizens—are all prominent, and their buildings ...

— American Sketches - 1908 • Charles Whibley

... will astonish! and is not compos'd of Fiction, Fable, or Stories plac'd at York, Rome, or Jamaica, but Facts done at your Doors, Facts unheard of, altogether new, ...

— The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard • Daniel Defoe

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