astonishment
UK: əˈstɒnɪʃmənt | US: əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt
Definition
n. a feeling of great surprise or wonder
n. something that causes amazement or shock
Structure
astonish <stun>ment <noun suffix>
Etymology
astonishment = astonish<stun> + ment<noun suffix>
- astonish (from Old French estoner "to stun, daze," derived from Latin extonare "to thunder out/strike with thunder," combining ex- (intensive) + tonare (to thunder). Over time, it evolved to mean "overwhelm with shock or wonder."
- -ment (a noun-forming suffix from Latin -mentum, indicating the result or means of an action).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the violent imagery of being struck by thunder (extonare), later softened to convey emotional shock or awe. The suffix -ment solidifies it as a state or result, transforming the verb "astonish" into a noun describing the feeling itself.
Examples
Her sudden appearance caused utter astonishment among the guests.
The magician’s trick was met with gasps of astonishment.
To my astonishment, the shy student delivered a flawless speech.
The grandeur of the canyon filled them with quiet astonishment.
He stared in astonishment as the puzzle solved itself.